STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1577-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   H.C.R. No. 239

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Legislative Management, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 239, H.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU AND THE DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND TOURISM TO CONDUCT STUDIES ON THE POTENTIAL FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACTS TO THE STATE AND THE STATE'S HEALTHCARE SYSTEM OF PROVIDING CARE FOR PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE AT ALL FIVE STAGES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to assess the impact of providing care for patients with chronic kidney disease at all five stages of its progression by requesting:

(1)  The Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB) to study its potential financial impact on the State's healthcare system; and

(2)  The Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to analyze its potential impact on the State's economy.

St. Francis Healthcare System of Hawaii testified in support of this measure.  LRB offered comments.

     There are significant costs involved in caring for patients with chronic kidney disease.  It is estimated that one hundred thousand Hawaii residents have a form of chronic kidney disease.  Just treating patients categorized in the last stage of chronic kidney disease, also known as end stage renal disease, currently costs $125,000,000.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Legislative Management that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 239, H.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Legislative Management,

____________________________

MICHAEL Y. MAGAOAY, Chair