STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1173-12

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2012

RE:   S.B. No. 2797

      S.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Human Services and Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 2797, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PSYCHOTROPIC MEDICATIONS IN MEDICAID,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to continue to provide access to psychotropic medications to patients who receive medical assistance coverage.  Specifically, this measure continues the requirement that an individual must try generic medications twice unsuccessfully before the individual's medical assistance health plan provides coverage for a brand-name psychotropic prescription medication.

The Department of Human Services, Department of Health, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Aloha Care, Hawaii Medical Service Association, United Self Help, Hawaii Association of Health Plans, and Ohana Health Plan supported this measure.

     Your Committees have noted that the testifiers agreed to meet to discuss the merits and impact of this measure as it moves through the legislative process.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2797, S.D. 1, and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Human Services and Health,

____________________________ RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair

____________________________ JOHN M. MIZUNO, Chair