STAND. COM. REP. NO.82

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: S.B. No. 484

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 484 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE MAUI AIDS FOUNDATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to make an appropriation for a grant-in-aid to the Maui AIDS Foundation for the case management program.

Testimony supporting this measure was received from the Department of Health, Mayor of Maui County, a member of the Maui County Council, Maui AIDS Foundation, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that AIDS remains to be a substantial threat to the health and welfare of the public. Despite advances in medical treatment, AIDS cases continue to overwhelm agencies, such as the Maui AIDS Foundation, that have experienced several budget cuts. If the Maui AIDS Foundation is not provided sufficient funding, there will be a dramatic decrease in programs, services, and the capacity to manage cases. Your Committee finds that the grant-in-aid provided in this measure is appropriate and necessary to ensure availability of these important services for Hawaii's population.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 484 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

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

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair