Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 1232 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds as a grant-in-aid to the Maui AIDS Foundation to improve the quality of life for those affected by HIV and AIDS through comprehensive, integrative client and case management services.

The Maui AIDS Foundation, one member of the Maui County Council, and eight individuals submitted testimony in support of this measure. The Department of Health submitted testimony in opposition.

Your Committee finds that federal Ryan White CARE Act funds have historically been used for direct emergency financial assistance for individuals and families living with HIV or AIDS for the provision of health care needs. Due to a change in federal funding priorities, the Department of Health has reduced available CARE Act funds to the Hawaii community-based AIDS organizations. Food and housing rental assistance are no longer categories eligible for funding support. This measure is necessary so that programs such as the Maui AIDS Foundation Food Pantry Program will not be eliminated and so that families and individuals that may need emergency financial assistance for rent in order to keep their housing can receive support.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1232 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.