STAND. COM. REP. NO.  6-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.B. No. 1993

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 1993 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to ensure continuous, cost-effective care for Hawaii residents who are uninsured by appropriating funds to provide direct health care to the uninsured, including primary medical, dental, and behavioral health care through our community health centers.

     The Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Consumer Lawyers of Hawaii, NAMI Hawaii, Ho‘ola Lahui Hawaii, Waimanalo Health Center, Waikiki Health Center, ILWU Local 142, Hawaii Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association, Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, and several concerned individuals supported this bill.  The Department of Health supported the intent of this measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1993 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 Health,

____________________________

JOSHUA B. GREEN, M.D., Chair