STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 27

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committees on Human Services and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 27 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO RESTORE BASIC ADULT DENTAL BENEFITS TO MEDICAID ENROLLEES,"

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Make an appropriation to the Department of Human Services to restore basic adult dental benefits to Medicaid enrollees; and

 

     (2)  Require the Department of Human Services to obtain the maximum federal matching funds available for this expenditure.

 

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaii, State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Lanai Community Health Center, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Waimānalo Health Center, Ohana Health Plan, Hawaii Dental Service, Hawaii Dental Association, Hawaii Public Health Institute, Koolauloa Health Center, The Queen's Medical Center, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Hoola Lahui Hawaii, Waikiki Health, and seventeen individuals.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services and Papa Ola Lōkahi.

 

     Your Committees find that oral health in the State is a pervasive and expensive public health crisis that needs to be addressed, especially in low-income and underserved populations.  The State needs to find ways to begin rebuilding the State's public dental health infrastructure, as low-income individuals in the State are more likely to have dental problems and less likely to seek care to resolve these issues.

 

     Your Committees further find that the State's federally matched Medicaid program forms an essential support for underserved individuals by offering insurance options for low-income citizens, in addition to other social service programs.  Restoring basic adult dental benefits would allow for individuals to eat properly, work productively, improve mental health well-being, and increase attendance and participation in school.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 27 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

 

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

 

________________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair

 

________________________________

JOSH GREEN, Chair