STAND. COM. REP. NO.  422

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 468

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. 468 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MEDICAID,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to require the Department of Human Services (DHS) to disregard the difference between 133 percent of the assistance allowance and 100 percent of the federal poverty level in determining eligibility for the Medically Needy Program.  This bill also appropriates funds for the Medically Needy Program.

     The Legal Aid Society of Hawaii and Hawaii Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers testified in support of this bill.  DHS and the Hawaii Centers for Independent Living provided comments.

     Your Committee respectfully requests DHS to clarify whether a medically needy recipient who earns $1 more than the income eligibility level for Medicaid needs to spend down the income to the lower standard of assistance.

     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. 468 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