STAND. COM. REP. NO.  490-12

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2012

 

RE:   H.B. No. 2200

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 2200 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Department of Human Services to match federal funds allocated to the State for Medicaid benefits dedicated to adult vision services.

 

     Hawaii Primary Care Association and two concerned individuals supported the measure.  The Department of Human Services opposed the measure.

 

     Your Committee notes that the Department of Human Services testified that the elimination of optometry services and glasses in the Medicaid program affects only non-disabled adults, however, this population will still be able to receive ophthalmology services for the treatment of eye disease.  Children, individuals older than sixty-five years, and individuals with disabilities will have no change in eye care coverage and will be able to access and obtain the full range of optometry services and eyeglasses.  The Department of Human Services added that restoration of the optometry services for the affected population would require $838,782 in general funds, which is based on the enrollment increases and proposed benefit expansion for adults in QUEST-ACE and QUEST-Net being the same as those in QUEST.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Changing the appropriation for adult vision services to an unspecified dollar amount;

 

     (2)  Adding as Part II of this measure the contents of H.B. No. 2197, which authorizes caregivers to execute an affidavit for caregiver consent on behalf of a minor to allow the minor to participate fully in programs and services of minors subject to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973;

 

     (3)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2050, to promote further discussion; and

 

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

 

 

     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 H.B. No. 2200, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2200, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

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

 

 

		____________________________ JOHN M. MIZUNO, Chair