Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 1228 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to provide financial support to the Molokai General Hospital for its operating costs.

Your Committee received testimony in favor of this measure from Maui County Council members, the Hawaii Primary Care Association, and Molokai General Hospital.

Your Committee finds that Molokai General Hospital is the only hospital on the island of Molokai, serving a population of 6,700 residents, and is experiencing a severe reduction in the financial support it receives from Queen's Health Systems, of which it is a subsidiary. Molokai General Hospital must, therefore, rely on increased financial support from other sources.

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 S.B. No. 1228 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.