Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1675 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to amend the certificate of need program to streamline the regulatory process.

Your Committee finds that the State Health Planning and Development Agency and the certificate of need program set forth in part V of chapter 323D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, have played an important role in ensuring that health care facilities in this State address the specific medical needs of Hawaii's residents and visitors.

Your Committee further finds that the certificate of need program encourages greater accountability by providing an avenue for public comment, discouraging or limiting unnecessary services, and promoting community planning.

Your Committee also finds, however, that certain improvements are necessary to make the program more efficient. Your Committee finds that this measure will ensure that the certificate of need program remains a useful monitoring and planning tool, by providing for equal access, high quality, and cost-effective health care for the people of this State and by facilitating community-based planning and effective allocation of scarce resources.

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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1675 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.