STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1113

                                 Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                   , 1999

                                 RE: H.R. No. 14
                                     




Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 1999
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.R. No. 14
entitled: 

     "HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING COUNSELORS, CLERGY OF ALL
     RELIGIONS, FAITH HEALERS, AND HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS TO
     INTEGRATE SPIRITUAL AND CULTURAL COUNSELING SERVICES INTO
     THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this resolution is to make spiritual
counseling more available to individuals who are afflicted with
life-threatening illnesses by urging counselors, clergy of all
religions, faith healers, and health care professionals to
integrate spiritual and cultural counseling services into the
health care system.

     The Commission on Persons with Disabilities, the Hawaii
Catholic Conference, the Hawaii Medical Association, the Hawaii
Nurses' Association, Hawaii Family Forum, and the American
Association of Retired Persons submitted testimony in support of
this measure.

     Your Committee finds that being able to discuss death and
dying issues with a counselor or selected clergy would enhance
health care services and bring comfort to the dying person and
the person's family.  Your Committee believes that at the end of
life, the role of a counselor is as critical to that of a
caregiver.


 
 
                                 STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1113
                                 Page 2

 
     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your
Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 14 and
recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Consumer
Protection and Commerce.

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



                                   ______________________________
                                   ALEXANDER C. SANTIAGO, Chair