Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Health and Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 1003 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to establish a school-based student health services system that integrates and complements school and community programs and resources to promote a comprehensive approach to the healthy development of all students.

The Hawaii Primary Care Association supported this measure. The Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Human Services (DHS) opposed this measure. The Department of Education (DOE) and DHS's Office of Youth Services provided comments on this measure.

Your Committees find that children and youth who are indigent, in rural or isolated communities often receive health care that is fragmented and without coordination. Public health efforts to coordinate DOH, DOE, and DHS for delivery of these services through a school-based student health care system are necessary. Your Committees believe that this will provide these at-risk youth with a seamless system for the prevention, early intervention, treatment, and follow-up of their health care needs.

Your Committees also find that this bill would require the DOH, DOE, and DHS to work together to identify and propose sites and funding streams that would support the delivery of services near or on school campuses. Dependent on the location and characteristics of the student population served, reimbursement for student health services may also be available through Medicaid and various other federal funds.

Your Committees request that DOH, DOE, and DHS be sensitive in their establishment of sites, as participation is a matter of choice for schools. Over 40 states have school-based health centers, and examples of the best practices and models are available. In addition, DOH, DOE, and DHS may look to the experience of schools in Hawaii such as Kapa'a and Mililani. Your Committees encourage continued discussion and coordination among DOH, DOE, and DHS.

Your Committees have amended this bill by:

(1) Removing any reference to appropriations; and

(2) Making technical and nonsubstantive amendments for

clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Human Services that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1003, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1003, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Education.