STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3013

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1294

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1294, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MEDICAID BENEFITS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate moneys for the Department of Human Services to reinstate the basic package of diagnostic, preventative, and restorative dental benefits to adult Medicaid enrollees.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services, State Council on Developmental Disabilities, University of Hawaii, AARP Hawaii, AlohaCare, Americans for Democratic Action, Hawaii Children's Action Network Speaks!, Hawaii Dental Association, Hawaii Dental Hygienists' Association, Hawaii Dental Service, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Hawaii Oral Health Coalition/Hawaii Public Health Institute, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Hawaii Self Advocacy Advisory Council, Health Committee of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Hoola Lahui Hawaii, Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services, Ohana Health Plan, Papa Ola Lokahi, Queen's Health Systems, The Kupuna Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, UnitedHealthcare, Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, Waikiki Health, Waimanalo Health Center, West Hawaii Community Health Center, and nine individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that reinstating preventative dental benefits to adult Medicaid enrollees will result in the provision of fewer emergency dental services, thus reducing the medical costs paid by Medicaid.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the appropriation from $10,195,082 to an unspecified amount to facilitate further discussion on the measure.

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. 1294, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1294, S.D. 2.

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

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair