STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2543

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2227

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2227 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate moneys to community health centers that provide direct healthcare for uninsured persons, including persons who will be considered ineligible for Medicaid QUEST benefits pending proposed changes to eligibility requirement changes that will take effect in April 2012.

     Written comments in support of this measure were submitted by Kalihi-Palama Health Center and one private citizen.

     Your Committee finds that this measure's appropriation to community health centers will allow for continued access to healthcare for uninsured individuals who may no longer meet the QUEST eligibility requirements and would be without health coverage.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2227 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair