STAND. COM. REP. NO.  47

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2011

 

RE:   H.B. No. 760

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 760 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this bill is to allow working adults with disabilities, who do not have employer prepaid or employer sponsored health care coverage or who earn more than the allowable ceiling, to obtain Medicaid coverage by establishing a Medicaid buy-in program, and to examine issues relating to Medicaid shortfalls by establishing a Joint Legislative Task Force on Medicaid (Task Force).

 

     The Arc of Kona, VSA Hawaii, Goodwill Industries of Hawaii, Inc., Hawaii Waiver Providers Association, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, and several concerned individuals testified in support of this bill.  The Department of Human Services (DHS) opposed this measure.  The Hawaii Medical Service Association, Ohana Health Plan, and a concerned individual provided comments.

 

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

 

(1)  Specifying that the Task Force composition also include representation from DHS, health care plans, the provider community, and the hospital community;

 

(2)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

 

(3)  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 that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 760, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 760, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Legislative Management.

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

JOHN M. MIZUNO, Chair