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.C.R. No. 108 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the United States Congress to examine the public policy underlying the recovery of medical assistance payments.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from one individual.

Your Committees find that current federal statutes allow lien exemptions for a sibling who has resided in the home for one year and who has an equity interest in the home, for disabled or minor children, and spouses. A lien exemption should also apply to adult, non-disabled children residing for at least one year in the home and who have an equity interest in the home. Allowing a Medicaid agency to place a lien on a beneficiary's home often causes financial hardship for the beneficiary's adult child, particularly when he or she has resided in the home for a long period of time.

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 concur with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 108 and recommend its adoption.