STAND. COM. REP. NO.2612

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2002

RE: S.B. No. 2944

S.D. 1

 

 

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 S.B. No. 2944 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR HEALTH-CARE PROVIDERS OF THE MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to help those who cannot afford health care to obtain access to primary health care by ensuring the viability of the nonprofit, community-based health care system.

Specifically, this bill directs the Department of Health to provide resources to nonprofit, community-based health care providers to pay for providing direct care, including primary medical care, dental care, behavioral and mental health care, and optometry services, which may be on a per-visit basis. The bill appropriates $3,750,000 for fiscal year 2002-2003, to be expended by the Department of Health, for health care for the medically underserved.

Your Committee finds that these nonprofit community centers provide a needed service. Not only do they provide cost-effective care to the uninsured, but the care they provide prevents more serious and costly health conditions in the vulnerable uninsured population. Due to the recent economic downturn in Hawaii many people lost their job or suffered a reduction in work hours, thus losing their health care coverage. This measure will provide some assurance that those without health care coverage may be able to afford the services they need.

Upon further consideration and to promote further discussion, your Committee has amended this bill by changing the appropriated amount to a blank amount. Your Committee has also made technical nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of clarity and style.

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 S.B. No. 2944, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2944, S.D. 1.

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

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair