Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 80 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the President of the United States and Congress to adopt changes to the Medicare Part D program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Government Employees Association and the Mental Health Association.

Your Committee finds that the Medicare Part D program that has been in place for several months continues to have major complications. Low-income elderly and disabled individuals have endured unnecessary hardships due to the program's complex guidelines, processing problems, and penalties.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 80, and recommends its adoption.