STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1006-10

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2010

 

RE:   H.R. No. 96

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committees on Human Services and Health, to which was referred H.R. No. 96 entitled:

 

"HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, TO DEVELOP A PROGRAM TO ENCOURAGE BREASTFEEDING AMONG MOTHERS WHO RECEIVE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE FROM MEDICAID,"

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this resolution is to urge the Department of Human Services (DHS), in consultation with the Department of Health (DOH), to develop a program to encourage breastfeeding among Medicaid recipients.

 

     The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), Hawaii Section and Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Hawaii submitted testimony in support of this measure.

 

     Your Committees acknowledge that breastfeeding has well-established health benefits.  But, it is not considered as a cost-savings strategy.  The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Economic Research Service estimates a minimum savings of $3,600,000,000 in medical expenses each year if the number of children breastfed for at least six months increased from 43% to 50%.

 

     And, for every one thousand babies who are not breastfed, there are 2,033 more medical office visits, 212 extra days of hospitalization, and 609 excess prescriptions.  By simply breastfeeding, these numbers would be reduced and the expenses associated with them would lower, as well.

 

     Also, your Committees note that a staggering 41% of births in the country are covered by Medicaid.  Encouraging breastfeeding among these infants may lead to a possible increase in state budget savings.

 

     Therefore, your Committees urge the Department of Human Services (DHS), in collaboration with the Department of Health (DOH), to develop a breastfeeding encouragement program among mothers receiving Medicaid.

 

     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 concur with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 96 and recommend that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

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

 

 

____________________________ RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair		____________________________ JOHN M. MIZUNO, Chair