STAND. COM. REP. NO. 574

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1986

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committees on Human Services and Public Housing and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Affordable Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 1986 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to require that Med‑QUEST and Medicaid coverage include chiropractic care.

     The Hawaii State Chiropractic Association, the American Chiropractic Association, and four individuals submitted testimony in support of this measure.  The Department of Human Services submitted testimony in support of the intent of this measure.

     Your Committees find that Med‑QUEST and Medicaid recipients would benefit from chiropractic care to the same extent as others who have medical coverage for this service.  According to the testimony, chiropractic care can help improve physical health by increasing functional capacity and preventing disabling conditions.  Also, it was noted that more than twenty-five other states include chiropractic care in their Medicaid programs.

     Your Committees note that the Department of Human Services provided a statement that the projected cost for chiropractic services for both the QUEST and Medicaid Fee‑For‑Service programs is $4,317,120, which is based on twenty-four sessions per year.  Depending on whether the Department of Human Services receives approval from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, of the total projected cost, the federal share would be $2,423,125 and an additional $1,893,995 in new state general funds would be required.  However, the federal and state projected costs are tentative and the Department of Human Services is still working on final figures.  If necessary, it is within the purview of the Committee on Ways and Means to make an appropriation.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services and Public Housing and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Affordable Housing that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1986 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Human Services and Public Housing and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Affordable Housing,

____________________________ BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair

____________________________ SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair