STAND. COM. REP. NO.  266-12

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2012

RE:   H.B. No. 2116

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 2116 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to support nonprofit community health centers who provide health care services to an increasing number of uninsured individuals by appropriating an unspecified sum to address the urgent needs of these health centers.

The Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, Hoola Lahui Hawaii, Lanai Community Health Center, Kalihi-Palama Health Center, Waikiki Health Center, Waimanalo Health Center, Kokua Kalihi Valley, West Hawaii Community Health Center, and two individuals testified in support of this measure.  The Department of Health testified in support of the intent of this measure.

     Your Committee recognizes that there is a growing number of uninsured in Hawaii and this is an issue that needs to be addressed.  The uninsured are more costly to the State than providing basic coverage.  Providing funding to community health centers, which serve many of the uninsured, will keep communities healthy and reduce state costs.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Specifying the amount of $5,500,000 as the sum of the appropriation to carry out the purposes of this measure; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2116, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2116, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair