STAND. COM. REP. NO.  267

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

 

RE:   H.B. No. 1359

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committees on Health and Human Services & Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 1359 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE STATE PHARMACY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM,"

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this bill is to create a Hawaii State Pharmacy Assistance Program by merging the current State Pharmacy Assistance Program which coordinates the Medicare Part D drug benefit and the Hawaii Rx Plus Program under a single comprehensive Hawaii State Pharmacy Assistance Program umbrella.

 

     The Department of Human Services and a concerned individual supported this bill.  AARP supported the intent of this measure.

 

     Your Committees find that the intentions of this bill are admirable in attempting to lower the price of prescription medication by combining programs.  However, your Committees respectfully request the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce to look more into improving the quality, efficiency, and therapeutic value of pharmaceutical prescribing in the state, with particular emphasis on publicly administered, funded, or subsidized health care and insurance programs.  A reduction in duplicative administering of preferred drug lists throughout state government will increase the State's bargaining power by achieving cost savings through rebates and other means, while at the same time expanding access to evidence-based information with the goal of improving health outcomes.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Human Services & Housing that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1359 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

 

 

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

 

 

____________________________

MAILE SHIMABUKURO, Chair

 

____________________________

JOSHUA B. GREEN, M.D., Chair