Bill Text: HI SB2310 | 2012 | Regular Session | Amended

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Kupuna Caucus; Medicaid; Adult Vision Services; DHS; Appropriation

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2012-03-23 - (H) Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Herkes excused (1). [SB2310 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2012-SB2310-Amended.html

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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2074

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 2310

 

 

 

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 2310 entitled:

 

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

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to provide the Department of Human Services with the funding it requires to match federal funds allocated to the State for Medicaid benefits dedicated to adult vision services.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hamakua Health Center; the Hawaii Optometric Association; the Hawai‘i Primary Care Association; Project Vision Hawaii; and two individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Human Services.

 

     Your Committee finds that funding Medicaid benefits dedicated to adult vision services will greatly assist the maintenance of vision.  The deterioration of adult vision often serves as an indicator of diabetes, heart disease, and other diseases with high mortality rates, and impacts the vitality of a healthy society.

 

     Your Committee notes that although the intent of this measure is supported, opposition to the measure cautions that given the State's current fragile fiscal situation, funding this measure through a general fund appropriation would not be prudent.  Therefore, your Committee urges the Committee on Ways and Means to consider other, more appropriate funding sources to restore the provision of valuable vision services.

 

     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. 2310 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

 

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

 

		____________________________ SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair