STAND. COM. REP. NO. 498

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 900

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 900 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to expand mental health services available in Hawaii.

     Specifically, this measure establishes a psychiatric health services pilot project to enable psychiatrists to collaborate with primary care physicians at federally qualified health centers to provide patients with needed psychiatric health care.  The pilot project is to provide up to four psychiatric residents for Oahu and one psychiatrist in each of the following areas:  East Hawaii, West Hawaii, Maui County, Kauai, and Oahu.  This measure makes an appropriation of an unspecified amount for the 2007-2008 fiscal year.

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Counseling Center at the University of Hawaii, Hilo; Hamakua Health Center; Hawaii Disability Rights Center; Hawai‘i Primary Care Association; Hawaii Psychiatric Medical Association; National Alliance on Mental Illness-O‘ahu; and five individuals.  The Department of Health and the Department of Human Services submitted testimony supporting the intent of this measure.  The Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center submitted testimony in opposition.

     Your Committee finds that mental health is an essential component of the overall health and well-being of every resident of the State.  Your Committee notes there is a shortage of mental health specialists available, especially in rural communities and neighbor islands.  The result is that many people do not get treatment or do not stick with their treatment.  Another consequence is that primary health care providers are forced to deal with issues that require the help of a specialty in psychiatry. 

     Your Committee suggests that the appropriation for the fiscal year be in the amount of $200,000, and used to fund one position for East Hawaii and another position for West Hawaii.  Your Committee recommends to your Committee on Ways and Means an appropriation of $500,000, for the 2008-2009 fiscal year to continue the two positions on the island of Hawaii and one additional position in each of the following areas:  Maui, Kauai, and Oahu.

     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. 900 and recommends that it pass Second Reading 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