Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 2814, H.D. 2, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Health (DOH) to submit an annual report on initiatives and improvements at the Kalaupapa Settlement to the Legislature.

This measure also requires the DOH to track Kalaupapa Settlement patient and non-patient costs separately, whenever possible.

Testimony in support of this measure was received from the Department of Health, State Auditor, Kalaupapa Patients Advisory Council, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that this measure implements the Auditor's recommendation that the Department of Health submit to the Legislature an annual report on the operation of Kalaupapa and on patients' living conditions. The audit revealed many problems with the administration of Kalaupapa and treatment of its patients. Non-patient costs such as utilities and common area expenses should be accounted for separately from direct patient-related expenses such as discrepancies in household expenses and items used at the Kalaupapa store. Requiring the Department of Health to file an annual report will provide a regular mechanism to enable the Legislature to review ongoing activities at Kalaupapa and recommend changes as needed. Furthermore, a reporting requirement will go a long way toward improving conditions in Kalaupapa.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2814, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2814, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.