Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 3224 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to allow individuals who participate in the state Medicaid program to have open access to mental health medications.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Hawaii Psychiatric Medical Association, Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, Waipahu Aloha Clubhouse, Ko'olau Clubhouse, and eleven individuals. Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Human Services and Kaiser Permanente.

Your Committees find that it is crucial for all individuals with mental illness to receive appropriate treatment. The consequences of not providing adequate medication to treat mental illness are severe.

Your Committees amended this measure by:

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Human Services that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3224, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3224, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.