STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1368

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 201

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.C.R. No. 201 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO CREATE A COMPACT OF FREE ASSOCIATION ADVISORY BODY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the Department of Human Services to create a Compact of Free Association Advisory Board to make recommendations on different aspects of health care coverage for Compact of Free Association residents.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services, Filipina Advocacy Network, Save Medicaid Hawaii, Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice, Kokua Kalihi Valley, and six individuals.

Your Committee finds that individuals who have immigrated to Hawaii from the independent nations of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, and Republic of Palau are referred to as the Compact of Free Association (COFA) residents, face the usual prejudices but additionally face special challenges due to their unique immigration status. COFA residents' immigration status excludes them from receiving essential benefits enjoyed by United States citizens and legal permanent residents, and there have also been public debates about the allocation of equitable resources for education, housing, employment, and health care for COFA residents. Such inequity is contrary to the values of care and aloha of the Native Hawaiian culture, which has historically embraced newcomers. Your Committee recognizes the unique circumstances COFA residents face while navigating their way through systems of care that can struggle to meet their needs, particularly in the areas of health insurance and health care. Therefore, establishing an advisory board to recommend the best approach for providing parity in state-funded health coverage for otherwise eligible COFA residents will ensure that equitable health care is available for all of Hawaii's residents.

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 S.C.R. No. 201 and recommends that it 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