STAND. COM. REP. 2401

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2004

RE: S.B. No. 3029

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Human Services and Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 3029 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC ASSISTANCE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to exempt certain physicians from obtaining preauthorization prior to dispensing medications to HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C patients on medicaid.

Testimony in opposition to the measure was submitted by the Department of Human Services.

Your Committees find that the procedure of requiring preauthorization of medicaid recipients before dispensing medications for the treatment of HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, and immunosuppressives for transplant patients is difficult and time consuming for practitioners. Such patients require immediate treatment to avoid permanent injury or other undesirable consequences. The condition of these seriously ill patients will generally not remain stable for long without prompt treatment. To avoid prolonged hospitalization, which increases costs, this measure will assist in expediting the dispensing of necessary medications.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3029 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs.

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

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ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair

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SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair