STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2992

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 2000

                                   RE:  H.B. No. 2156
                                        H.D. 2
                                        S.D. 1




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2000
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was
referred H.B. No. 2156, H.D. 2, entitled: 

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR BASIC DENTAL
     SERVICES FOR ADULTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to make an appropriation for
basic dental services for adults.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure
from the Department of Health (DOH), State Planning Council on
Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii State Primary Care
Association, Institute for Human Services, Inc., Hawaii Catholic
Conference, Health Care For The Homeless Project, Kalihi-Palama
Health Center, Office for Social Ministry, Kokua Council, Hawaii
Nurses' Association, Kokua Kalihi Valley, and Hawaii Dental
Hygienists' Association.  Testimony in opposition was received
from the ARC In Hawaii and AlohaCare.

     In 1996, basic dental services for adults enrolled in
Medicaid and QUEST programs were terminated.  Since 1996, only
emergency dental services have been covered by these programs.
Many low-income adults in these programs are unable to pay
out-of-pocket expenses for basic dental services, such as filling
cavities or teeth cleaning.  Therefore, these individuals elect
not to seek these needed services and often suffer serious health
consequences.  There are also many indigent adults who do not

 
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qualify for either Medicaid or QUEST benefits and who are also in
need of basic dental care services.    

     For those on welfare, dental care has been identified as an
essential need and factor in their ability or inability to secure
employment.  Therefore, restoring basic dental services for
indigent adults is in line with current welfare reform.

     Your Committee encourages the Department of Human Services
to restore dental services for adults as soon as possible, and to
work with the United States Department of Health and Human
Services to accommodate these services within the current state
budget ceiling.

     Your Committee intends the appropriation to the DOH to be
used to create capacity in select communities currently lacking
dental services for indigent adults and other target populations,
and to support community health centers and other safety net
providers with established dental programs.  In addition, the DOH
is encouraged to develop a project to provide a fee-for-service
program for disabled individuals unable to obtain basic dental
services.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Removing the proviso in the appropriation to the DOH
          that dental services be provided through community-
          based health centers and dental services providers;

     (2)  Adding an appropriation of $1 for the DHS to reinstate
          the provision of basic dental services for adults in
          the Medicaid and QUEST programs; 

     (3)  Changing the purpose section to reflect the amended
          measure; and

     (4)  Renumbering the sections in the measure.

     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 H.B. No. 2156, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that
it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B.
No. 2156, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on
Ways and Means.


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



                                   ______________________________
                                   SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair

 
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