STAND. COM. REP. NO. 531

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 451

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 451 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent 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 State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, and one individual.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services.

Your Committee finds that it is advantageous for economic development in the State and in the best interests of its citizens with disabilities to establish programs and policies that encourage their employment. Your Committee further finds that a Medicaid buy-in program allows individuals with disabilities to maintain Medicaid coverage while working and earning above the federal poverty level. By expanding access to Medicaid, this measure helps individuals with disabilities achieve greater financial independence and access to essential health care services, without the fear of losing coverage as they increase their earnings.

Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting

an effective date of December 31, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 451, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 451, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

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JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair