STAND. COM. REP. NO. 196-04

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2004

RE: H.B. No. 2461

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Human Services and Housing and Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 2461 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MEDICAL ASSISTANCE FOR PREGNANT LEGAL IMMIGRANTS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to provide state-funded medical assistance to pregnant legal immigrant women aged 19 or older whose family income does not exceed 185 percent of the federal poverty level.

The Department of Human Services, Hawaii Primary Care Association, and Healthcare Association of Hawaii testified in support of this measure. Na Loio – Immigrant Rights and Public Interest Legal Center testified in support of this measure with amendments.

Your Committees find that income-eligible pregnant legal immigrants who have lived in the United States for less than five years currently are not eligible for medical assistance. Your Committees received testimony stating that about 300 pregnant women per year would be eligible for medical benefits if not for their immigrant status.

Your Committees note that they would have liked to expand this measure to include all immigrants regardless of status. However, the title of the measure would not allow for the expansion.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services and Housing and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2461 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

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

 

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DENNIS A. ARAKAKI, Chair

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MICHAEL PUAMAMO KAHIKINA, Chair