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. 88 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this resolution is to develop a comprehensive trauma system plan for Hawaii that encompasses all of the major islands and includes cost estimates. That the Director of Health involve representatives of all relevant agencies and organizations, both public and private, in the development of the trauma plan.

Your committee received testimony in support of this resolution from the Hawaii State Department of Health, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, and Kaiser Permanente.

Accordingly, the Legislature Reference Bureau report identified the causes of on-call physician specialist shortage as: 1. The cost of care has increased while payments to physicians from health plans, Medicare, and Medicaid have decreased. 2. There is a national shortage of physician specialists in many areas critical for trauma coverage. 3. Physician specialists have reduced or eliminated emergency call.

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. 88 and recommends its adoption.