STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3374

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                 

 

RE:     S.B. No. 2429

        S.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2429, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to extend the state-funded medical assistance provided to eligible pregnant women for up to one year post-pregnancy in certain circumstances.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the AAUW of Hawaii; Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii; Hawaii Women's Coalition; Hawaii Primary Care Association; American Academy of Pediatrics; March of Dimes; Hawaii Section of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists; Hawaii Maternal and Infant Health Collaborative; Hawaii Children's Action Network Speaks!; Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice; Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition; Early Childhood Action Strategy; Aloha House, Inc.; and numerous individuals.

 

     Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services.

 

     Your Committee finds that many women have pregnancy-related health care needs that extend beyond the sixty days of postpartum care currently authorized under Medicaid.  Addressing these health care needs and improving maternal health are priorities for the State.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

 

(2)  Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2429, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2429, S.D. 2.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

 

 

 

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair