STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1377-04

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2004

RE: H.C.R. No. 81

H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services and Housing, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 81 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION OPPOSING THE MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG AND MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2003,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to:

(1) Oppose the provisions of the Medicare and Prescription Drug and Modernization Act of 2003 (Medicare Modernization Act) and support its repeal; and

(2) Request Hawaii's Congressional Delegation to promote repeal of the Act and work to enact legislation that will ensure universal access to a single-payer uniform health insurance program and a prescription drug plan.

The Hawaii Government Employees Association, HGEA Retirees Unit, League of Women Voters of Hawaii, Hawaii State Retired Teachers Association, and a concerned individual testified in support of this measure.

Your Committee recognizes that there are many serious concerns with the Medicare Modernization Act. In particular, the Medicare Modernization Act provides inadequate drug benefits and creates a "gap group" of individuals that would not be covered.

Accordingly, your Committee has amended this concurrent resolution by:

(1) Requesting Hawaii's Congressional Delegation, as an alternative to the repeal of the Medicare Modernization Act, to seek reform to address the groups of individuals who will not qualify for drug coverage;

(2) Sending a certified copy of the concurrent resolution to the President of the United States; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services and Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 81, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 81, H.D. 1.

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

 

____________________________

MICHAEL PUAMAMO KAHIKINA, Chair