STAND. COM. REP. NO.3235

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2002

RE: H.B. No. 2834

S.D. 2

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2834, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PRESCRIPTION DRUGS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to create the Hawaii Rx program to reduce prescription drug costs for all state residents who choose to participate.

The Hawaii Rx program is established in the Department of Human Services to combine the purchasing power of all state residents who choose to participate to reduce prescription drug costs. Your Committee finds that prescription drugs are vital to the community, particularly the chronically ill and the elderly. However, prescription drug costs are constantly rising, which forces these residents into making a harsh choice between the medicine they need and the necessities of life. The Hawaii Rx program would allow participants to save money via discounted prices and a rebate program negotiated by the department.

The bill would also establish a prescription drug advisory committee to review access to prescription drugs for state residents, including pricing and affordability, and advise the Director of Human Services on access to prescription drugs, including insurance and third-party payments. Your Committee finds that this program will help make prescription medication more affordable for all residents.

Your Committee has amended the bill by changing the appropriations to $1 each, and by establishing the program in chapter 346 (Department of Human Services) instead of 328 (Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics), Hawaii Revised Statutes, where it more appropriately belongs.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2834, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2834, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair