STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1160-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   S.B. No. 2219

      S.D. 2

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Human Services & Housing and Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 2219, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC ASSISTANCE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to ensure women's health care between pregnancies by expanding QUEST coverage for post-partum and interconception care services for up to six months post-pregnancy.

     The Hawaii Primary Care Association, March of Dimes Hawaii Chapter, and a concerned individual testified in support of this bill.  The Department of Human Services (DHS) provided comments.

     Your Committees note that DHS's testimony states that to receive federal reimbursement, an amendment to the Hawaii Medicaid State Plan and QUEST 1115 Waiver will need to be obtained.  DHS estimates that approximately $4,370,388 would be needed to serve the population of pregnant women under QUEST.  An estimated 3,300 pregnant women are served by QUEST in a year.

     Accordingly, your Committees have amended this bill by:

     (1)  Ensuring that individuals are qualified for a full six months post-pregnancy, instead of "up to" six months; and

     (2)  Delaying the start of the interconception care coverage for one year, beginning July 1, 2009.

Other technical, nonsbustantive amendments were made for clarity, consistency, and style.

     Your Committees note that the delayed start date is to allow DHS time to obtain the necessary approvals from the federal government.  DHS may return to the Legislature next year to request more time, if necessary.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services & Housing and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2219, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2219, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

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

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

____________________________ MAILE SHIMABUKURO, Chair