STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3213

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 2115

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 2

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2115, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to require Med-QUEST and medicaid coverage for chiropractic care, limited to twenty-four visits per calendar year, and to appropriate funds to the Department of Human Services to implement the requirement.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Chiropractic Association, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Klein Chiropractic Center, and twelve individuals.  Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that the State's medicaid program already covers chiropractic care for individuals under twenty-one years of age with no limits, provided that there is medical necessity.  Your Committee further finds that the need for chiropractic treatments is not unique to youth, and adults deserve the same choice and access to chiropractic care.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and style.

     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 H.B. No. 2115, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2115, H.D. 1, S.D. 2.

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

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair