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.C.R. No. 85 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to increase the options and quality of care available to a person and their family when a person is diagnosed with a terminal disease by requesting the Insurance Commissioner to investigate methods of expanding access to quality palliative care.

The Hawaii Family Forum and Hawaii Catholic Conference supported this concurrent resolution. Kokua Mau supported the intent of this measure. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs opposed this concurrent resolution.

Your Committee finds that it is important that a person diagnosed with a terminal illness be afforded all available comfort and care options as soon as possible to ensure a high quality of life for the person and their family during the remaining time they share together. This care should be available for all people in Hawaii regardless of their health insurance coverage or lack thereof because we all have a right to compassionate care.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 85 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.