HB2426

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2426
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The American Cancer Society reports that more than 559,650 people died last year in the United States from some form of cancer. The legislature finds that last year, in Hawaii, 2,260 people died from a type of cancer. The American Cancer Society also reports that approximately 1,440,920 new cases of cancer were diagnosed last year in the United States. Last year in Hawaii, 6,020 new cases of cancer were diagnosed. Cancers of the breast, colon and rectum, prostate, and lungs made up the majority of those new cases in this State. The American Cancer Society also estimates that over ten million cancer survivors are alive today because of successful treatment.

The United States Census Bureau estimates that 8.6 per cent of Hawaii residents do not have health insurance. The legislature finds that it is important to ensure that all cancer patients in the State, including those that do not have health insurance, have access to effective cancer treatments.

The purpose of this Act is to require the development of a program to provide cancer treatment to cancer patients in Hawaii without health insurance.

SECTION 2. (a) The department of human services shall develop and implement a statewide program that will provide necessary cancer treatments for cancer patients in the State who do not have health insurance.

(b) The director of human services shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91, necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.

(c) The director of human services may seek, apply for, and administer federal funding and other resources for the purposes of this Act.

(d) The department shall submit a report of its progress, including any recommendations or proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2009.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 for the purpose of developing and implementing a program to provide necessary treatments for uninsured cancer patients in the State.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2008.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________