STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1563

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 962

       S.D. 2

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 962, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to increase the availability of medical care to patients with chronic kidney disease in rural areas of the State. 

     Specifically, this measure appropriates moneys as a grant under chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to the St. Francis Healthcare Foundation to support the modified home care and community health demonstration project.  This project is intended to provide a comprehensive approach to treatment, including dialysis, for patients suffering from chronic kidney disease and end stage renal disease.

     Your Committee received comments in support of this measure from the National Kidney Foundation, the St. Francis Healthcare Systems of Hawaii, and the Hawaii Healthcare Association of Hawaii.  The Office of Hawaiian Affairs submitted comments on this measure.

     Your Committee finds that Hawaii residents are diagnosed with chronic kidney disease at a rate higher than the national average.  Kidney failure and kidney disease are even more prevalent in native Hawaiian populations and in rural areas of the State.  Your Committee finds that this measure will enable residents of rural areas of the State to have easier access to preventative health care and dialysis treatment.  A comprehensive strategy of prevention, detection, treatment, and education will greatly improve the health and quality of life for those with chronic kidney disease.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1)  Removing the second phase of the demonstration project relating to home assistance for those who have available space in their homes for dialysis equipment; and

(2)  Appropriating an unspecified sum, to be expended by the Department of Health, in fiscal year 2007-2008 and fiscal year 2008-2009 to support the modified home care and community health demonstration project, provided that no funds shall be expended unless matched dollar for dollar by the office of Hawaiian affairs, federal funds, private funds, or a combination; and

(3)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2010 to facilitate further discussion on this measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 962, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 962, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair