Report Title:

Neurotrauma Task Force; Department of Health (DOH)

THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

41

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

H.D. 1
   

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO ESTABLISH A NEUROTRAUMA TASK FORCE.

 

WHEREAS, every year 1,900,000 Americans experience neurotrauma injuries; and

WHEREAS, approximately half of these cases result in short-term disability; and

WHEREAS, of the neurotrauma injury survivors, 70,000 to 90,000 endure lifelong debilitating losses of functions; and

WHEREAS, the average medical cost for a three- to six- month initial hospitalization for neurotrauma injury is $85,000; and

WHEREAS, the survivor of a severe head injury typically faces five to ten years of intensive treatment at an estimated cost in excess of $4,000,000; and

WHEREAS, nationally, the direct medical cost for neurotrauma injury has been estimated at more than $4,000,000,000 per year; and

WHEREAS, the total economic cost of head injuries have been estimated to approach $25,000,000,000 per year; and

WHEREAS, in Hawaii, an estimated 1,200 people are discharged annually from Hawaii's hospitals with neurotrauma injury; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii currently lacks a system that provides, manages, and monitors services for individuals with neurotrauma injuries; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii also lacks effective and affordable treatment, rehabilitation programs, and community support to facilitate independent living; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-First Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2001, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Health is requested to convene a neurotrauma task force; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that members of this task force be appointed by the Director of Health and shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) Two survivors of neurotrauma or their family members;

(2) One member representing public sector agencies that provide services for neurotrauma survivors;

(3) Two members representing private sector agencies or businesses that provide services for neurotrauma survivors;

(4) One member representing trauma centers that provide services for neurotrauma persons;

(5) One member of the Hawaii State Senate;

(6) One member of the Hawaii State House of Representatives;

(7) Two current Traumatic Brain Injury Board members;

(8) One Spinal Cord Injury Association member; and

(9) One member of the community;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall:

(1) Explore sources of funding so that Hawaii can provide services relating to neurotrauma injury;

(2) Develop a definition of neurotrauma, to include other trauma groups; and

(3) Report on the feasibility of creating a neurotrauma board to replace the current Traumatic Brain Injury Board;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health submit a report to the Legislature at least twenty days prior to the convening of the 2002 legislative session on the findings of the task force and submit proposed legislation on its findings; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health, Traumatic Brain Injury Board, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and President of the Senate.