STAND. COM. REP. NO. 301

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 467

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 467 entitled:

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

begs 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 full adult dental health benefits to Medicaid enrollees; and

(2) Require federal matching funds.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawai‘i System; State Council on Developmental Disabilities; Healthcare Association of Hawaii; Ho‘ola Lahui Hawai‘i; Hawai‘i State Rural Health Association; Lanai Community Health Center; Hawaii Disability Rights Center; Hilo Medical Center Foundation; Bay Clinic, Inc.; AlohaCare; Catholic Charities Hawai‘i; Hawaii Dental Hygienists' Association; Hawaii Children's Action Network; Oral Health For All Hawaii; We Are One, Inc.; The Queen's Health Systems; Hawai‘i Public Health Institute; Hawaii Dental Association; O‘ahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i; and thirteen individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services, Department of Health, and Hawai‘i Primary Care Association.

Your Committee finds that oral disease is a significant health problem among many Hawaii residents, affecting their overall health and well-being. Having oral health benefit for adults in the Medicaid program can save money in emergency care, address chronic disease and the dangerous spread of disease, help people preserve their teeth into old age, and improve adults' job prospects. Further, adults with access to dental care may be more likely to recognize the value of the benefit, gain information related to improving their own and their family's oral hygiene practices, and take their children to the dentist. Your Committee therefore finds that it is in the best interest of the State and its residents to expand access to care by restoring dental benefits to adult Medicaid enrollees, which will create a clear pathway for improved oral health care for adult Medicaid enrollees and their families in the State.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 467 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

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RUSSELL E. RUDERMAN, Chair