STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1530-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.C.R. No. 187

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Health and Human Services & Housing, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 187 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO STUDY THE FEASIBILITY OF IMPLEMENTING A SMOKING CESSATION BENEFIT TO HAWAII QUEST BENEFICIARIES,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to provide and assist residents who are eligible for healthcare coverage through QUEST with the resources to conquer smoking, which remains a major health issue for the people of Hawaii by requesting the Department of Human Services to study the feasibility of implementing a smoking cessation benefit to Hawaii QUEST beneficiaries.

      The Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawaii supports this concurrent resolution. The Department of Human Services supports the intent of this concurrent resolution.

     Your Committees find that the Department of Human Services should explore the existing 1-800-Quit-Now program designed to help smokers who want to quit, and work on a contract to have QUEST and Medicaid patients receive these services for free.

     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 concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 187 and recommend that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.

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