STAND. COM. REP. NO.  92

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 7

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Health and Human Services & Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 7 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE I-SAVERX PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROGRAM,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to expand access to affordable prescription drugs by requiring the Governor to enter into a written agreement that allows Hawaii residents to participate in the I-SaveRx prescription drug program.

     ILWU Local 142 and the Kokua Council testified in support of this bill.  The Department of Human Services supported the intent of this measure.  The Consumer Lawyers of Hawaii and the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America testified in opposition to this bill. 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Human Services & Housing that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 7 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

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

____________________________ MAILE SHIMABUKURO, Chair

____________________________ JOSHUA B. GREEN, M.D., Chair