STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2079

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2088

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 2088 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MEDICAID,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

     (1)  Require the Department of Human Services to notify the appropriate standing committees of the Senate and House of any intended change to Hawaii's Medicaid program no later than sixty days prior to implementing the change;

     (2)  Authorize the specified standing committees to hold hearings on any intended change to the Medicaid program or any proposed Medicaid state plan amendment; and

     (3)  Prohibit or require certain actions by the Department that may affect Hawaii's Medicaid program.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawai‘i Primary Care Association, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, the Consumer Family & Youth Alliance, and two individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Human Services.

     Your Committee finds that the Department of Human Services operates the State's Medicaid program, the second largest state program.  Historically, the Department has effectively set and has significantly changed Hawaii's Medicaid program with little authoritative oversight from the Legislature or input from the public.  This measure is a means to increase transparency and provide opportunities for the Legislature and the public to voice their comments and concerns on any changes or proposed changes to the State's Medicaid program and policy prior to their implementation.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2088 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services,

____________________________

SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair