STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3435

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 2000

                                   RE:  S.C.R. No. 88
                                        S.D. 1




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2000
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred
S.C.R. No. 88, S.D. 1, entitled:

     "SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF
     HEALTH TO IMPROVE STATEWIDE DIABETES AWARENESS AND EDUCATION
     AND TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO ADDRESS EARLY DETECTION AND
     SCREENING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to request the
Department of Health to improve statewide diabetes awareness and
education and to convene a task force to address early detection
and screening.

     Your Committee finds that diabetes is on the increase as one
of the leading chronic illnesses of the modern age.  While there
are many hypotheses for this increase, the end result is still a
great number of medically needy people who require daily
attention to diet, medications, and often, education.  Because of
its insidious nature, many diabetics do not realize they have the
disease, or are not aware of the ongoing damage occurring to
their vital organs including their circulatory system and nervous
system.  It is imperative to the State that medical costs be
sustained at as low as possible as Hawaii's residents have one of
the longest average life expectancies in the nation and older
people use more medical care per capita than younger persons.

 
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                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3435
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The early detection of diabetes along with proper care can reduce
diabetes related complications that can place a heavy burden upon
the State's health care system.

     This concurrent resolution asks for a program to promote
early detection of diabetes through the Department of Health, and
the development of plans, with recommendations for the
Legislature's action during the regular session of 2001.

     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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 88,
S.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

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



                                 ________________________________
                                 CAROL FUKUNAGA, Co-Chair



                                 ________________________________
                                 ANDREW LEVIN, Co-Chair

 
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