STAND. COM. REP. NO.  857

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 1044

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1044, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PRESCRIPTION DRUGS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to allow QUEST patients equal access to immunosuppressants by:

     (1)  Deleting a provision that excluded QUEST medical plans;        and

     (2)  Requiring that an economic impact assessment of                    providing this access be provided to the Legislature in       2010, 2011, and 2012.

     The Hawaii Disability Rights Center testified in support of this bill.  The Department of Human Services supported the intent of this measure.  The Hawaii Association of Health Plans and a concerned individual testified in opposition to this bill.  The Hawaii Medical Service Association submitted comments.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1044, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

MARCUS R. OSHIRO, Chair