STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1874-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: S.C.R. No. 81

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health & Homelessness, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 81, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE GOVERNOR TO ENSURE THAT RELEVANT STATE AGENCIES, INCLUDING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, COLLABORATE TO EXPLORE AVENUES TO ENSURE CONTINUED ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE MEDICATIONS FOR THE STATE'S UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS UNDER THE 340B DRUG PRICING PROGRAM AND URGING HAWAII'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION AND RELEVANT FEDERAL AGENCIES TO MONITOR PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES AND TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTIONS TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE 340B DRUG PRICING PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the Governor to ensure that relevant state agencies, including the Department of Health and Department of Human Services, collaborate to explore avenues to ensure continued access to affordable medications for the State's underserved populations under the 340B drug pricing program and urging Hawaii's congressional delegation and relevant federal agencies to monitor pharmaceutical companies and take appropriate actions to protect the integrity of the 340B drug pricing program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services; Queen's Health System; Hawaii Pacific Health; Healthcare Association of Hawaii; Hawaii Primary Care Association; Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center; and one individual. Your Committee received testimony in opposition of this measure from the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Deleting language that states pharmaceutical companies are intentionally undermining the purpose of the 340B Program;

(2) Inserting language to reference Section 256B of Title 42 of the United States Code; and

(3) Making technical, non-substantive amendments for the purpose of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 81, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 81, S.D. 1, H.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health & Homelessness,

____________________________

DELLA AU BELATTI, Chair