HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

THE TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE

REGULAR SESSION OF 2008

COMMITTEE ON HEALTH

Rep. Josh Green, M.D., Chair

Rep. John Mizuno, Vice Chair

Rep. Della Au Belatti	Rep. K. Mark Takai
Rep. Joe Bertram, III	Rep. James Kunane Tokioka
Rep. Rida T.R. Cabanilla	Rep. Karen Leinani Awana
Rep. Karl Rhoads	Rep. Gene Ward, Ph.D.
Rep. Maile S. L. Shimabukuro

NOTICE OF INFORMATIONAL BRIEFING

DATE:	Friday, January 11, 2008
TIME:	10:45 a.m.
PLACE:	Conference Room 329 State Capitol 415 South Beretania Street

A G E N D A

The purpose of this informational briefing is to review the issue of Health Insurance Reimbursements and the concerns that affect Hawaii's Healthcare System.

Hawaii currently faces the potential of a healthcare crisis, because there is a shortage of physicians, especially specialist, and nurses, in rural areas of Oahu and the neighbor islands.  A viable Health Insurance Reimbursement structure must exist to maintain and recruit quality physicians and nurses for Hawaii.  Moreover, hospitals are closing because of insufficient reimbursements and funding.

To address the reimbursement issue, the following organizations, Department Directors, and Legislators have been invited to participate in the briefing:

Chair Roslyn Baker or her designee, Senate Ways and Means Committee

Chair David Ige or his designee, Senate Health Committee

State Department of Health, Director Chiyome Fukino, M.D. or her designee

State Department of Human Services Director Lillian Koller or her designee

Hawaii Medical Service Association

Hawaii Medical Association

Kaiser Permanente

Queens Medical Center

Healthcare Association of Hawaii

Other related healthcare providers

If you require special assistance or auxiliary aids and/or services to participate in the House public hearing process (i.e., sign or foreign language interpreter or wheelchair accessibility), please contact the Committee Clerk at 586-9605 at least 24 hours prior to the hearing for arrangements.  Prompt requests submitted help to ensure the availability of qualified individuals and appropriate accommodations.

For further information, please call the Committee Clerk at 586-9605.

Selected meetings are broadcast live.  Check the current legislative broadcast schedule on the "Capitol TV" Web site at www.capitoltv.org OR call 550-8074.

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Rep.  Joshua B. Green, M.D.

Chair