STAND. COM. REP. NO.1133

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: H.B. No. 1430

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Health and Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 1430, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COMMUNITY ORAL HEALTH,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for the Department of Health to employ or contract licensed dental hygienists to offer comprehensive oral health services to underserved children.

Testimony supporting this measure was received from Luhi Wahine 'la. The Department of Health supported the intent of this measure but opposed the measure citing the possible adverse impact on the state budget.

Your Committees find that children in underserved areas are enduring severe dental hygiene problems that can lead to further health and medical complications in the future. The Legislature recognized this health crisis in 2002 and appropriated funds to hire licensed hygienists to provide oral health services to underserved children. However, the appropriation was not utilized. One year later, this oral health issue remained largely unaddressed due to the lack of funds, exacerbating the problem further. Undoubtedly, these underserved children have yet to receive the dental services that they most desperately need. Your Committees find that providing oral health services to underserved children is essential to securing the public health and welfare. In addition, it is urgent that these services are commenced immediately to prevent further public health problems. Your Committees understand that utilizing general appropriations from the state treasury for these essential services will not be possible in light of the State's current fiscal situation.

Therefore, recognizing that the public health and welfare are in jeopardy and that this matter is urgent in nature, your Committees have amended this measure by:

(1) Detailing the critical nature of this oral health issue;

(2) Changing its funding source from the general fund to the emergency and budget reserve fund; and

(3) Specifying $500,000 as the amount of the appropriation for fiscal year 2003-2004, and the same sum for fiscal year 2004-2005.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Human Services that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1430, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1430, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

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

____________________________

SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair