HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP HSEDC 004 05/20/2003 2002-2004REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES ANU ECONOMIC UEVELOPMF.NT
DATI?: Mac 20. 20(1;
PLACE: Council Chamhers
TIME: I :00 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo. Ifawai'i 96720
Re: Comm. No. 243/Res. No. 75-03
Your Committee on Human Services and Economic Development to which was referred
Resolution No. 75-03, reports as follows:
Resolution No. 75-03, transmitted b~ Council Member Robert Jacobson via Communication
No. 243. dated May I, 2003, supports the Healthy Hawaii Prescription Drug Program.
The Healthy Hawaii program provides discounts on prescription drug, to all Hawai' i residents
whose incomes arc at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty level. This group of
beneticiaries includes thousands of working families and senior citizens throughout the state.
fhe one obstacle that prevents the implementation ofthis program is the approval of a Medicaid
waiver submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services of the l ~.S. Deparunent of
I Icalth and Human Serviccv.
The resolution asks Governor Linda Lingle to use the power of her oflicc and her personal
powers of persuasion to encourage the Honorable Tommy G. Thompson. Secretary of the l i S.
Department of Health and I {uman Services and the administrator of the Centers for Medicare
and Medicaid Services to grant Hawaii's application for a Medicaid waiver to implement this
program under Section 115 of the Social Security Act.
At your Committee mectin~~. Council Member_ Robert .lacobson, submitted Resolution 75-03,
(Draft 2). Amendments were:
I . Change 300 to 200 percent in the 2"`~ WHEREAS;
2. Add "one was" and "and it was initially denied in April of2UU3" in the 3"~ WI II~:RI~:AS:
3. Add "to reconsider the denial of Hawai'i's application for the waiver and to" in the NOW,
THEREFORE, BI? IT RI?SOI.VF,D section: and
4. 'T'here was a floor amendment to add "the Honorable" in I'ronl of Tomnry~ G. 'I~humpson's
name to signify position and tiUc as a cabinet member of the federal administration.
Council Members Elarionoff and "I'cler expressed concern about Act 75 because of Secretary
Tommy G. 'I~hompson's denial to grant the Medicaid waiver. Both rnembers requested a deferral
of the resolution until the Council could receive more inftirmation. Committee Chair I lolschuh
and Council Member'fylci were concerned about the amendment li-om the 300 to 200 percent at
or below the federal povert}~ Icvel because Act 75 is a state law and the County cannot change
state law. Council Member'fyler also expressed concerns about the present litigation and
wanted the Council to wait until a State'fask Force made its report on the legality of Act 75.
There was a motion to defer Resolution 75-03, (Draft 21. 'fhe motion was defeated.
The motion to pass Resolution 75-03, (Draft 2), was defeated because of the amendment from
300 to 200 percent of the federal poverty level and the need for additional information.
Council Member.Iacobson amended Resolution 75-03 by making a motion to accept all changes
made in Resolution 75-03 f Draft 2). cscept the 200 percent at or below the federal poverty level.
Council Members'Cyler. Elarionoff and tlolschuh requested Vice-Chair Jacobson to provide
additional information for the next Council meeting. Council Member Jacobson stated that he
would try to get answers to specific questions given to him in writing. Your Committee
approved the amendments to Resolution 75-03.
Due to an error in the voting procedure, your Committee forwards Resolution 75-03, as amended
(to Draft 3), to Council with no recommendation.
._ AYES VOf;V .~&f: F:X
HOLSCHUH
JACOBSON
ARAKAKI
CHUNG
ELARIONOFF
LEITH EAD-TODD
SAFARIK
REYNOLDS
TYLER
Respectfully submitted
COMMITTEI-:ON HUMAN SERVICES
AND ECOMOMIC DEVi?LOPMi:N'f
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FRC?D HOLSCHUII. M.D.. CI LAIR
tIS&EDCREPORTNO. -I
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