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.C.R. No. 153 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to support the collaborative efforts between the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation(HHSC) and the Veterans Administration (VA) to improve upon the quality, diversity, and accessibility of healthcare on the neighbor islands.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by Hawaii Health System Corporation, Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital, Hilo Medical Center, Maui Memorial Medical Center, Kona Community Hospital, Oahu Veterans Council, and Hawaii Health System foundation.

Your Committee finds that HHCS and Hawaii VA have been working closely to develop a strategic plan for joint implementation of many healthcare initiatives. Your Committee further finds that these initiatives offer a cost-effective means of improving the quality of healthcare on the neighbor islands, while simultaneously increasing access to these public healthcare 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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 153 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations.