STAND. COM. REP. NO.  414

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 1455

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Human Services & Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 1455 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO QUEST ENROLLMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to expand enrollment in the QUEST program by:

     (1)  Requiring the Department of Human Services (DHS) to request a waiver from the federal government to allow the State to remove its QUEST enrollment cap; and

     (2)  Expand enrollment to individuals at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty level if a waiver is granted.

     The Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, Hawaii Primary Care Association, and Healthcare Association of Hawaii testified in support of this bill.  The Department of Human Services (DHS) provided comments.

     Your Committee encourages DHS and other stakeholders to explore the feasibility and to conduct a cost-analysis of providing insurance coverage to State employees who meet the income qualifications, and the possibility of using the Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund moneys to pay for the coverage and possibly receive matching funds, thereby saving the State money.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services & Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1455 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services & Housing,

____________________________

MAILE SHIMABUKURO, Chair