STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1607

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.R. No. 180

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Human Services & Homelessness, to which was referred H.R. No. 180 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING THE GOVERNOR TO DETERMINE A COURSE OF ACTION FOR THE STATE, SHOULD THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CUT FUNDING FOR MEDICAID,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the Governor to determine a course of action for the State, should the federal government cut funding for Medicaid.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Executive Office on Aging; State Council on Developmental Disabilities; Hawai‘i Primary Care Association; Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center; and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii's Medicaid program, Med-QUEST, plays a vital role in providing health care coverage to a significant portion of the State's population, particularly low-income individuals, children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. Proposed federal funding cuts to Medicaid would have severe consequences for the State, potentially leading to a loss of coverage for thousands of residents, increased financial strain on the State's budget, and reduced access to essential health services. This measure urges the Governor to determine a course of action to mitigate the impact of potential federal Medicaid cuts, ensuring that the State remains prepared to sustain critical health care services.

Your Committee has amended this measure by 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 concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 180, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 180, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

LISA MARTEN, Chair