STAND. COM. REP. NO.  261

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

 

RE:   H.B. No. 325

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Human Services & Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 325 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO DENTAL CARE,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this bill is to expand coverage under Medicaid and QUEST to include comprehensive dental care coverage for eligible individuals 21 years-of-age or older and to appropriate funds to provide the additional coverage.

 

     The State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Mental Health America of Hawaii, Kokua Council, and Life Foundation testified in support of this bill.  The Department of Human Services (DHS) provided comments.

 

     Your Committee recognizes the importance of dental care, particularly for those under Medicaid and QUEST who have received limited dental benefits.  Your Committee respectfully urges DHS to actively publicize any adult dental services and programs it offers.

 


     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

 

     (1)  Inserting a new appropriation of an unspecified amount for hospital dentistry for the developmentally disabled community in the County of Hawaii; and

 

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services & Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 325, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 325, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services & Housing,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

MAILE SHIMABUKURO, Chair