STAND. COM. REP. NO.  826

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

RE:   H.B. No. 1525

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1525, H.D. 1, 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 restrict Medicaid contract awards solely to nonprofit insurance entities.

     The Hawaii Primary Care Association, Hawaii Government Employees Association, and Lanai Women's Center dba Lanai Community Health Center testified in support of this bill.  The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, DHS, State Council on Developmental Disabilities, State Procurement Office, MDX Hawaii, and Evercare opposed this measure.  The Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, Faith Action for Community Equity, and two concerned individuals offered comments.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1525, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

MARCUS R. OSHIRO, Chair