STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2779

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2797

       S.D. 1

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. 2797, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent 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 drug.

     Written comments in support of this measure were submitted by the Hawaii Association of Health Plans and 'Ohana Health Plan.  Written comments were also submitted by the Hawaii Disability Rights Center and United Self Help.

     Your Committee finds that Act 205, Session Laws of Hawaii 2010, has proved to be beneficial for both patients and health plans.  The use of generic drugs lowers costs for QUEST, QUEST Expanded Access, and fee-for-service programs administered by the Department of Human Services, as well as the patient, and the patients are still able to receive brand-name medications, if appropriate.

     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. 2797, S.D. 1, 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