STAND. COM. REP. NO. 618

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: H.B. No. 352

H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Health and Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 352 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to appropriate funds to the Department of Health (DOH) to provide cost-effective medical care to Hawaii's uninsured residents.

The Hawaii Primary Care Association, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, and Kokua Kalihi Valley supported this bill. DOH supported the intent of this measure.

Your Committees find that a growing number of people do not carry health insurance. Unfortunately, the same demographic of people who lack health insurance are among the most prevalent group to suffer from recurring health problems. This measure will combat this declining trend in health by facilitating medical care for these people.

Your Committees have amended this bill by:

(1) Appropriating $1 for each fiscal year; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for

clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Human Services that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 352, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 352, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

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

 

____________________________

ALEX M. SONSON, Chair

____________________________

DENNIS A. ARAKAKI, Chair