STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1773

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 1999

                                   RE:  H.C.R. No. 190
                                        H.D. 1




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 1999
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was
referred H.C.R. No. 190, H.D. 1, entitled: 

     "HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
     TO EXTEND ITS SERVICES OF THE NEUROPSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT
     UNTIL APPROPRIATE AND ADEQUATE ALTERNATIVES ARE FOUND,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to urge the Department of
Health (DOH) to extend its services of the neuropsychology
department until appropriate and adequate alternatives are found.

     This measure is an outgrowth of the recent announcement by
the DOH that it intends to close the neuropsychology department
at the Hawaii State Hospital.  The DOH feels that neuropsychology
is not within mental health treatment, because neuropsychology
deals with brain injury type cases and the like.  However, there
is concern that many current patients have nowhere to turn for
neuropsychology services since there is no other facility in the
State that provides these services.  Furthermore, insurers will
not pay for post-acute rehabilitation services.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this
report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose
of H.C.R. No. 190, H.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.


 
a                                                     HCR190 HD1
 
 
                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1773
                                   Page 2


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



                                   ______________________________
                                   SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair

 
a                                                     HCR190 HD1