Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 1022 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require medical assistance programs, including Medicaid and QUEST, to provide chiropractic services.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the American Chiropractic Association, the Hawaii State Chiropractic Association, and six individuals. Comments were also received by the Department of Human Services.

Your Committee finds that chiropractic is the largest non-allopathic healthcare provider in the United States, and is part of most other state and federal health plans that serve the medical assistance population group. If chiropractic services are provided to treat patients, the patients must pay for them out-of-pocket. However, patients whose medical coverage is provided through Medicaid or QUEST are often the least able to afford out-of-pocket expenses for their health care. Your Committee believes that reimbursement for chiropractic services will provide an alternative treatment option for patients covered under medical assistance programs.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1022 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.