STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1167

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 1495

       H.D. 2

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 1495, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR PALLIATIVE CARE RESOURCES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to improve palliative care in Hawaii by providing an appropriation as a grant under chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to Kokua Mau for palliative care education and services.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Kaiser Permanente, Hawaii Medical Service Association, Hospice of Hilo, Hawaii Long Term Care Association, the Hawaii Family Forum, Kokua Mau, Hospice Hawaii, and seven individuals.  The Healthcare Association of Hawaii submitted testimony in support of this measure with a recommended amendment.

     The total funding needed for fiscal year 2007-2008 is $270,000 and the total funding needed for fiscal year 2008-2009 is $192,000.

     Your Committee finds that palliative care services in the State need to be improved and expanded.  Your Committee recognizes that palliative care is not an age specific service and that a comprehensive program addressing the needs of the community is imperative to improving end-of-life care in Hawaii.

     Your Committee adopted the recommendation of the Healthcare Association of Hawaii and amended this measure by broadening the scope of the measure to enable any other skilled nursing facilities that choose to participate in the palliative care project with Kokua Mau.

     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. 1495, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1495, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair