Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 71 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to recognize the serious inequities in the health prevention and treatment of women, and calls for the elimination of these inequities to improve the health status of women in the State.

Testimony supporting this measure was received from the Department of Health, a Maui County Council Member, and an individual.

Your Committee finds that women's health is often different in diagnosing and treatment than in men, including major areas of specialty such as breast cancer, reproductive medicine, and osteoporosis-bone loss. Women are much more likely to provide health care to family members, make health care decisions, and spend two of every three health care dollars. Additionally, women outnumber men three to one in long-term care facilities.

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. 71 and recommends its adoption.