STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2275

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2503

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 2503 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HANA HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to provide funds for the improvement of Hana Health's infrastructure.

     Specifically, this measure appropriates $5,000,000 for the following at Hana Health:

     (1)  $1,750,000 for commercial kitchen construction/equipment installation;

     (2)  $2,500,000 for independent senior housing design and construction to include home‑based dialysis, adult day care, and respite services; and

     (3)  $750,000 for medical facility upgrade/expansion design documents.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Hana Health and sixty-six individuals.  The Department of the Attorney General submitted comments on this measure.

     Your Committee finds that funding is necessary to assist with the necessary improvements to Hana Health's infrastructure.  Hana Health is essential to the health and wellness of the Moku of Hana, particularly among Native Hawaiians and those who are underserved due to financial, cultural, and geographical barriers.  Your Committee further finds that the appropriation should be issued as a grant pursuant to chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to achieve the purpose of this measure.

     Your Committee has adopted the recommendations of the Department of the Attorney General and amended this measure by inserting language to clarify that the appropriation is in the form of a grant pursuant to chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     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 S.B. No. 2503, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2503, 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