STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1556

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 436

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 436, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to require coverage for the Department of Human Services to provide chiropractic care under Med-QUEST and Medicaid. 

Additionally, this measure appropriates an unspecified sum for the Department of Human Services to provide chiropractic services.

     Seven concerned chiropractors and ninety-eight concerned individuals submitted comments in support of this measure.  The Department of Human Services submitted comments on this measure. 

     Your Committee finds that Med‑QUEST and Medicaid recipients would benefit from chiropractic care to the same extent as those who have private insurance coverage for chiropractic services.  Your Committee further finds that long-term health care costs may be reduced by providing chiropractic coverage that will help improve overall health and prevent costly disabling conditions.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 436, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair