STAND. COM. REP. NO.  712

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2011

RE:   H.B. No. 569

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 569, 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:

(1)  Require recipients of medical assistance under any Medicaid program administered by the Department of Human Services (DHS), including any Medicaid waiver program, to re-enroll in such Medicaid program every year;

(2)  Require the parent or legal guardian of a minor receiving medical assistance under any Medicaid program administered by DHS, including any Medicaid waiver program, to be responsible for re-enrolling in such Medicaid program on behalf of the minor;

(3)  Eliminate any automatic re-enrollment process or program for any recipient of medical assistance under any Medicaid program administered by DHS beginning January 1, 2014;

(4)  Establish a joint legislative task force on Medicaid to examine issues relating to Medicaid; and

(5)  Require reimbursements for reason of parity for Medicaid beneficiaries categorized in the same or equivalent level of care, living in a community based facility, whether a licensed community care foster family home or licensed adult residential care home.

     The Filipino Chamber of Commerce, Alliance of Residential Care Administrators, United Group of Home Operators, and a concerned individual testified in support of this bill.  The Hawaii Primary Care Association and AlohaCare testified in opposition to this measure.  DHS and Hawaii Medical Service Association provided 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. 569, 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