STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1530

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2011

RE:   S.B. No. 1292

      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 S.B. No. 1292, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES FOR HEALTH CARE PAYMENTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to ensure the uninterrupted provision of medically necessary services to low-income adults and children by making an emergency appropriation to cover the budget shortfall for health care payments and to prevent the loss of federal funds.  Specifically, this bill appropriates for fiscal year 2010-2011:

(1)  $57,500,000 in general revenues; and

(2)  $96,400,000 in federal Medicaid funds as a federal match.

     Pursuant to the requirements set forth in Article VII, Section 9, of the Hawaii State Constitution, the Governor, in Governor's Message No. 101 to the Legislature, requested immediate consideration and passage of this bill by the Legislature to address the budget shortfall.

     The Department of Human Services, Hawaii Medical Association, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, AlohaCare, Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, Ohana Health Plan, Hawaii Medical Service Association, Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, PHOCUSED, and a concerned individual supported this bill.

     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 S.B. No. 1292, 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