HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

THE TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE

INTERIM OF 2008

COMMITTEE ON HEALTH

Rep. Josh Green, M.D., Chair

Rep. John Mizuno, Vice Chair

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

AMENDED NOTICE OF MEETING

DATE:	Tuesday, August 19, 2008
TIME:	10:00 a.m.
PLACE:	Conference Room 325 (Room has changed from 329 to 325) State Capitol 415 South Beretania Street

A G E N D A

The purpose of this informational briefing is to review the current healthcare system as it relates to adult and adolescent mental health in Hawaii.

The Felix v. Cayetano Consent Decree, which mandated the establishment of a system of care for children with emotional and behavioral disorders ended in 2006.  Data from other states indicate that in the aftermath of court decrees similar to Hawaii's, there appears to be a significant reduction in funding, quality, and quantity of mental health services to youth.

Recently, Hawaii had two devastating and tragic cases involving persons suffering from bipolar disorder, which seems to highlight the need to revisit our current healthcare system to review and address the concerns regarding mental healthcare.

The briefing will discuss vacant positions at state and private hospitals in regard to mental health services, school based behavioral health programs, understanding ways to improve outcomes for mental health recipients and the need for more diagnoses, funding and a review of the current quality of mental health services to the people of Hawaii.

The following organizations or representatives have been invited to participate:

The Director of the State Department of Health or her designee; and

Representatives of the Mental Health America of Hawaii board; and

Representatives from Hawaii Community Health Centers; and

Practicing Physicians, Psychologists, Therapists, and Social Workers who deal with mental health clients; and

Charles James, (via conference call) brother of Michael James, on a family perspective of mental healthcare; and

Alabama State Representative Joseph Mitchell (via conference call), Ph.D. from Texas A&M University and a published researcher in educational psychology.

No public testimony will be accepted.

If you require special assistance or auxiliary aids and/or services to participate in the public hearing process (i.e., sign language interpreter or wheelchair accessibility), please contact the Committee Clerk at 586-6050 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 586-6050.

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