STAND. COM. REP. NO.  707-14

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2014

RE:   H.B. No. 1752

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1752, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to provide quality, cost-effective health care for Hawaii residents who are uninsured, newly insured, underinsured, potential Medicaid enrollees, or Medicaid enrollees by appropriating funds to:

(1)  Provide direct health care for the uninsured and underinsured;

(2)  Restore basic adult dental benefits to Medicaid enrollees;

(3)  Provide outreach and eligibility services, including Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Programs eligibility, for children, families, and individuals at federally qualified health centers;

(4)  Establish health care homes in Medicaid and for Medicaid enrollees as provided in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; and

(5)  Provide behavioral health services at federally qualified community health centers.

The Office of the Governor, State Council on Developmental Disabilities, The Bay Clinic, Inc., Malama I Ke Ola, Waimanalo Health Center, Ho‘ola Lahui Hawai‘i, Lana‘i Community Health Center, Community Alliance for Mental Health, United Self Help, Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services, Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, and several individuals supported this measure.  The Department of Health, Department of Human Services, Department of the Attorney General, and Hawai‘i Primary Care Association commented on this measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1752, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair