STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3121

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 1993

       H.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committees on Health and Human Services and Public Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 1993, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to provide cost-effective care for Hawaii residents who are uninsured while at the same time ensuring that the community health center system remains financially viable and stable in the face of a growing population of uninsured persons.

     Specifically, this measure makes an appropriation in an unspecified amount to pay for the provision of direct health care to the uninsured, which may include primary medical, dental, and behavioral health care; provided that distribution of funds may be on a "per visit" basis, taking into consideration the needs on all islands.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Healthcare Association of Hawaii; Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center; Waimanalo Health Center; Bay Clinic, Inc.; Kalihi-Palama Health Center; Molokai Community Health Center; the Filipino Coalition for Solidarity; Nursing Advocates and Mentors, Inc.; the National Federation of Filipino American Associations Region XII; Hawaii Primary Care Association; Waikiki Health Center; West Hawaii Community Health Center; Ho‘ola Lahui Hawai‘i; Kokua Kalihi Valley; and nine individuals.  Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Health.

     Your Committees find that Hawaii's community health centers served over 30,000 uninsured patients in 2006.  This measure will help to ensure the viability of these community health centers and access to important basic health care for all residents of the State.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Human Services and Public Housing that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1993, H.D. 1, and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Health and Human Services and Public Housing,

____________________________ SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair

____________________________ DAVID Y. IGE, Chair