STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1225

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.R. No. 32

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred H.R. No. 32 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO NOT CONSIDER CERTAIN BENEFITS UNDER TITLE II OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT AS INCOME WHEN DETERMINING MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the Department of Human Services (DHS) to adopt administrative rules and take all actions necessary, as permitted by federal law, to disregard the Social Security Act Title II benefit or any increase in that benefit that makes an individual ineligible for supplemental security income and Medicaid.

The State Council on Developmental Disabilities; Hawaii Disability Legal Services, LLLC; The Arc in Hawaii; and several individuals testified in support of this measure.  An individual opposed this measure.  DHS commented on this measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 32 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services,

____________________________

DEE MORIKAWA, Chair