RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, carcinomas, cancers of the epithelial tissue lining the surface of internal and external organs, comprise approximately 85 percent of all malignancies, including many of the deadliest cancers – cervical, colorectal, and esophageal – as well as the most common, non-melanoma skin cancer; and

WHEREAS, cancer diagnostics and treatment is a significant burden and challenge to existing health care providers; and

WHEREAS, new imaging modalities can provide valuable, and otherwise unavailable information in early cancer detection; and

WHEREAS, health care transformation includes leveraging existing and new imaging technologies and patient data management to improve patient care; and

WHEREAS, the medical developments and approaches such as those that allow for non-invasive or virtual biopsy technologies, help to minimize the pain and cost of health care by reducing unnecessary use of physical biopsy and accelerate the availability and interpretation of data; and

WHEREAS, establishing a world-class diagnostic imaging center would propel Hawaii to the forefront of health care as a strategic member of the international stage in the 21^st century; and

WHEREAS, new and emerging treatment modalities such as photodynamic therapy are already employed in Europe, and can significantly improve the quality of life for patients diagnosed with certain types of cancer, with improved post-treatment functionality in treatment of both organ and tissue; 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 Cancer Elimination Task Force (Task Force) to develop a strategic plan for establishing Hawaii as a center for cancer detection and treatment, based on emerging virtual biopsy technologies and cancer treatment modalities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Dean of the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine, President of the Hawaii Chapter of the American Cancer Society, President of the Hawaii Medical Association, President of the Hawaii Dermatologic Society, and Director of the Hawaii Cancer Research Center, or their respective designees be members of the Task Force; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives each appoint one representative from the private health insurers community, and one biomedical technologist with specialization in virtual biopsy technologies to be members of the Task Force; and

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

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

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Task Force's first meeting shall take place within the month of July 2005, and thereafter 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 the Task Force, commencing with the regular session of 2006, submit an annual report to the Legislature and the Governor no later than 20 days prior to the convening of each regular session that addresses:

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

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 the Governor, Dean of the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine, President of the Hawaii Chapter of the American Cancer Society, President of the Hawaii Medical Association, President of the Hawaii Dermatologic Society, and Director of the Hawaii Cancer Research Center.

Report Title:

Establishment of Hawaii Cancer Elimination Task Force