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. 3140, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to prepare and protect the people of Hawaii from a pandemic of a novel strain of influenza.

The Department of Health and Healthcare Association Hawaii supported this bill.

In light of the current health concerns regarding avian flu, your Committee finds that it is imperative that the State prepare for this oncoming threat as Hawaii is a popular destination for many citizens of Asia and Europe, where this virus has already been linked to the death of adults and children.

Any and all necessary support that can be gained for a state initiative to acquire antiviral medications is warranted in preparation for a potential pandemic of a novel strain of influenza. Because this will be a costly and on-going program, more thought should be given to the possibility that healthcare insurers should be requested to fund and reimburse the State for the use of antiviral medications collected by the State to battle this health threat. Also, a revolving fund should be considered as a method of paying for the acquisition of medications, mass clinic supplies, laboratory supplies and equipment, personal protective equipment, a data management system for tracing cases and contacts, and any other costs related to preparing for and facing an influenza pandemic in our island state.

Your Committee has amended this bill 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. 3140, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 3140, H.D. 2, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.