STAND. COM. REP. NO.  222

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 843

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 843 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO KAHUKU HOSPITAL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to authorize the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation (HHSC) to bring Kahuku Hospital under its governance through formal affiliation with the HHSC and to provide for transitional facilitation by the Director of Health.

     HHSC, the Principal of Kahuku High and Intermediate School, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Polynesian Cultural Center, Koolau Loa Neighborhood Board No. 28, United Public Workers AFSCME, Local 646, AFL-CIO, Staples Realty, Inc., and numerous concerned individuals supported this bill.  The Department of Health supported the intent of this measure.  The State Procurement Office submitted comments on this bill.

     Your Committee remains cognizant of the financial implications that may be incurred due to affiliating Kahuku Hospital with HHSC and finds that it is important that DOH continue to monitor the impact this action may have on the State's healthcare system and advise the Legislature on any long-term problems that may occur.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

     (1)  Deleting the provision that exempted Kahuku Hospital, upon becoming affiliated with HHSC, from the Chapter 103D, Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS), the State Procurement Code and Chapter 103F, HRS, purchases of Health and Human Services; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive changes for clarity, consistency, and style.

     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. 843, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 843, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

JOSHUA B. GREEN, M.D., Chair