STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3330

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 2761

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2761, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WOMEN'S HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to improve the health and access to healthcare for low-income women and children in the State.

Specifically, this measure extends post-partum and interconception care from eight weeks to six months for women enrolled in the Hawaii QUEST program.

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Hawaii Primary Care Association, Pacific Gateway Center, March of Dimes, and two concerned individuals.  Comments on this measure were submitted by the Department of Human Services and a concerned individual.

     Your Committee finds that this measure will improve the overall health of women and children in the State by providing postpartum care, as well as a full scope of preventive and primary care services for women between pregnancies, for up to six months.

     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. 2761, 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