STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1534-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.C.R. No. 186

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health & Homelessness, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 186 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO EXPLORE AVENUES TO ENSURE CONTINUED ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE MEDICATIONS FOR THE STATE'S UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS UNDER THE 340B DRUG PRICING PROGRAM AND URGING HAWAII'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION AND RELEVANT FEDERAL AGENCIES TO MONITOR PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTIONS TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE 340B DRUG PRICING PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the Department of Health to explore avenues to ensure continued access to affordable medications for the State's underserved populations under the 340B drug pricing program and urging Hawaii's congressional delegation and relevant federal agencies to monitor pharmaceutical companies and take appropriate actions to protect the integrity of the 340B drug pricing program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Queen's Health System; Hawaii Primary Care Association; Healthcare Association of Hawaii; Wahiawa Health Center; and Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America.

This measure has been amended by:

(1) Inserting language to include the Governor, and Department of Human Services in addition to the Department of Health to explore avenues and to ensure continued access to affordable medications under the 340B Drug Pricing Program;

(2) Amending the title to reflect the inclusion of the Governor and Department of Human Services;

(3) Inserting language to include federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) in addition to hospitals; and

(4) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purpose of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 186, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 186, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health & Homelessness,

____________________________

DELLA AU BELATTI, Chair