HCR228

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	228
TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2005
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

Requesting the governor to establish the hawaii cervical cancer elimination task force.

WHEREAS, cervical cancer is a deadly disease that is the second most common form of cancer found in women around the world; and

WHEREAS, among American women, about 12,200 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed annually, with about 4,100 cases resulting in death; and

WHEREAS, in Hawaii, the incidence rate for cervical cancer is 10.1 per 100,000, and the mortality rate is 1.9 per 100,000, with native Hawaiian women having the highest incidence rate in the state; and

WHEREAS, though cervical cancer is preventable, the lack of education and access to regular, accurate cervical cancer screening leads to continued deaths from this disease; and

WHEREAS, a statewide public education effort would raise awareness among women, especially underserved women, about the dangers of cervical cancer and how it can be prevented and treated; and

WHEREAS, new screening technologies are also available to help eliminate cervical cancer through early identification of women who are at risk; and

WHEREAS, there is a need to coordinate statewide efforts to address this disease; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2005, the Senate concurring, that the Legislature of the State of Hawaii requests the Governor to establish the Hawaii Cervical Cancer Elimination Task Force (Task Force) to consist of 22 members; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Director of Health, Med-Quest Administrator, Chairperson of the Hawaii Women's Caucus, and Executive Director of the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women (Commission), or their respective designees, be members of the Task Force; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Governor appoint additional members of the Task Force, from lists of nominees submitted by the President of the Senate, as follows:

(1) One member of the Senate;

(2) Two representatives from the Hawaii Women's Caucus;

(3) A representative of a women's health organization;

(4) A representative from the American Association of Pediatrics; and

(5) A certified Department of Education school teacher;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Governor appoint additional members of the Task Force, from lists of nominees submitted by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as follows:

(1) One member of the House of Representatives;

(2) Two representatives from the Hawaii Women's Caucus;

(3) A member of the Hawaii Cancer Research Center;

(4) A member from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; and

(5) A member from the health insurance industry; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Governor appoint the following members of the Task Force:

(1) A representative from the University of Hawaii;

(2) The State Epidemiologist;

(3) Two members at-large;

(4) A media representative; and

(5) A licensed registered nurse;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Governor appoint the Chair of the Task Force from among its members; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force elect the Vice-Chair from among its members; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Governor ensures, insofar as possible, that the members of the Task Force accurately reflect the diverse composition of Hawaii's population; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Governor appoint all members of the Task Force no later than 30 days after the adjournment of the Regular Session of 2005; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force meet quarterly, or more frequently at the discretion of the Chair of the Task Force; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chair of the Task Force may establish committees to carry out special studies and may appoint persons outside of the Task Force to serve on committees as resource persons; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a majority of the Task Force constitutes a quorum for the transaction of its business; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force:

(1) Prepare a statistical and qualitative examination of the prevalence and burden of cervical cancer;

(2) Raise public awareness of the causes and nature of cervical cancer, personal risk factors, value of prevention and early detection, options for testing, treatment costs, new technology, medical care reimbursement, and physical education;

(3) Identify priority strategies, new technologies, or newly introduced vaccines that are effective in preventing and controlling cervical cancer;

(4) Identify and examine the limitations of existing laws, rules, programs, and services with regard to coverage and awareness of cervical cancer;

(5) Educate and urge medical providers to make educational information available to patients about human papillomavirus and prevention of cervical cancer;

(6) Develop and promote a statewide comprehensive cervical cancer prevention plan (Plan), including strategies for implementing the Plan;

(7) Secure specific commitments from, and facilitate coordination and communication among, state and local agencies, organizations, businesses, and other entities regarding current or future involvement in implementing and promoting the Plan or achieving other objectives of the Plan; and

(8) Receive and consider reports and testimony from individuals, county health agencies, community-based organizations, voluntary health organizations, and other public and private organizations statewide to learn about their activities and ideas for improvement with respect to cervical cancer diagnosis, prevention, and treatment; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force, beginning in 2006, submit an annual report to the Legislature and the Governor no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each Regular Session that addresses:

(1) Progress made by the Task Force in developing the Plan;

(2) The anticipated time needed to complete the Plan; and

(3) Recommended strategies or actions to reduce the occurrence of, and burdens caused by, cervical cancer;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force dissolve itself on June 30, 2010; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to:

(1) The Governor;

(2) The Director of Health;

(3) The Med-QUEST Administrator;

(4) The Chairperson of the Hawaii Women's Caucus;

(5) The Executive Director of the Commission;

(6) The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists;

(7) The American Association of Pediatrics; and

(8) The Hawaii Cancer Research Center.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Requests the Governor to establish the Hawaii Cervical Cancer Elimination Task Force.