Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 2438 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish in the Department of Health the rural area health professionals loan fund that will extend interest-free loans for residential purchases by qualified licensed physicians and advance practice registered nurses in qualified rural areas.

The Department of Health provided testimony in opposition to this measure. The Hawaii Health Systems Corporation provided testimony in strong support of this measure, indicating that the measure would provide an outstanding incentive for physicians and advance practice registered nurses to live and work in rural areas of Hawaii where the physician specialist shortage is most severe.

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. 2438 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.