Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Human Services and Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 2362 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to provide open, unrestricted access to medications for Medicaid clients who suffer from human immunodeficiency virus, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, or hepatitis C, or who need immunosuppressives as a result of organ transplants, by exempting physicians under QUEST medical plans from preauthorization procedures when prescribing these medications.

The Department of Human Services, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Gay and Lesbian Education and Advocacy Foundation, and a concerned individual testified in support of this bill. The Hawaii Medical Service Association offered comments.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2362 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.