STAND. COM. REP. NO.535

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2001

RE: H.B. No. 1356

H.D. 2

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 1356, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to prohibit health insurers from charging per-injection copayments for specific drugs that control multiple sclerosis.

Testimony in support of this measure was received from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and several individuals. Kaiser Permanente opposed this measure.

Your Committee understands that many people suffer from the debilitating disease of multiple sclerosis (MS) throughout the country and in Hawaii. Moreover, it was recognized that only three drugs are currently recognized by the federal Food and Drug Administration that can control MS. However, due to each patient's unique reaction to these medications, some patients may need to take a daily dose of medicine while others take the medications on a weekly or bi-weekly basis.

Your Committee realizes that the costs for these medications range from $800 to $900 for a month's supply and understands that people who cannot afford the co-payments for their drugs may stop taking their medication and worsen their condition.

Upon further condideration, your Committee has amended amended this bill to cover oral medications in the same way as injectable medications.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1356, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1356, H.D. 2, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

____________________________

DENNIS A. ARAKAKI, Chair