STAND. COM. REP. NO. 87-20

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2020

RE: H.B. No. 1613

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services & Homelessness, to which was referred H.B. No. 1613 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Human Services to establish a Medicaid Buy-In Program for workers with disabilities.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Self Advocacy Advisory Council and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services, State Council on Developmental Disabilities, and Hawaii Disability Rights Center.

Your Committee finds that persons with disabilities need adequate health insurance to enter or remain in the work force; however, their options for insurance coverage are limited. A Medicaid Buy-In Program would offer health care coverage to persons with disabilities who are working and whose earnings and resources might otherwise make them ineligible for Medicaid.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Requiring the Department of Human Services to submit a report to the Legislature prior to the 2021 Regular Session on its progress in evaluating how a full Medicaid Buy-In Program may be implemented and the viability of implementing a full Medicaid Buy-In Program;

(2) Changing its effective date to December 31, 2059, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1613, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1613, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair