STAND. COM. REP. 2175

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2004

RE: S.B. No. 2661

S.D. 1

 

 

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. 2661 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR QUEST AND MEDICAID COVERAGE FOR MICRONESIANS RESIDING IN HAWAII,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for QUEST and medicaid coverage for Micronesians residing in Hawaii pursuant to the Compact of Free Association.

Testimony in favor of the measure was submitted by the Department of Human Services, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Hawaii County Council, and various private citizens.

Your Committees find that under the Compacts of Free Association, Hawaii has approximately 7,300 migrants from Pacific nations. Most of these migrants face economic, educational, language, and cultural challenges when moving to Hawaii. However, they have come here seeking better opportunities and, more importantly, medical assistance. Many have serious health problems. Diabetes and other chronic diseases are common among adults. Community health centers across the State serve a considerable number of the Pacific migrants.

Unfortunately, the federal government, which has jurisdiction over the compact, has not fully recognized the costs that Hawaii bears to assist these migrants. Therefore, providing access to QUEST and medicaid for these individuals must be a state priority. Your Committees are aware that the current executive supplemental budget includes funding to restore medical assistance coverage for these migrants and would like to demonstrate their support by passing this measure out of committee with amendments to include other Pacific nations under the compact.

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. 2661, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2661, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

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