STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2019

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 2269

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 2269 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Require prescription drug coverage provided under the State's Medicaid managed care and fee-for-service programs to include prescription drug coverage for buprenorphine, when used in the treatment of opioid dependency; and

 

     (2)  Require prescriptions for buprenorphine to be offered without copayments and without the need for prior authorization.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Oahu County Committee Legislative Priorities Committee of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, and two individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services, Department of Health, Hawaii Medical Service Association, Kaiser Permanente, and Ohana Makamae, Inc.

 

     Your Committee finds that there are over fifty thousand opioid prescriptions per year in the State and about one-third of the population uses opioids.  Your Committee further finds that medications such as buprenorphine, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, provide a comprehensive approach to the treatment of opioid dependency and should be covered under the Medicaid managed care and fee-for-service program without any copayment or prior authorization requirements.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2269 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health.

 

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

 

 

 

________________________________

JOSH GREEN, Chair