THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	167
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

supporting THE HEALTH CARE COMMUNITY’s efforts to obtain federal funding for health information technology grants.

     WHEREAS, Hawaii is becoming a national leader in the field of health care technology as evidenced by recent innovations in online care and electronic medical records; and

     WHEREAS, the State’s unique geographic location necessitates that cutting edge ideas and technologies are fostered to help overcome issues regarding access to medical care especially for disadvantaged and disabled populations and those residing in rural areas; and

     WHEREAS, the real-time sharing of comprehensive patient centered medical information between consumers and providers will decrease medical errors, enhance adherence to best practice guideline, and advance improvements in quality health care; and

     WHEREAS, establishment and development of health information exchanges within the United States has become increasingly significant, reflecting the changing role that emerging information technology plays in the way government and businesses operate; and

     WHEREAS, establishment and development of health information exchanges within the United States has become increasingly necessary in times of national and local disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina; and

     WHEREAS, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 contains funding opportunities for states to improve infrastructure related to medical technology specifically for creating a health information exchange and promoting of the use of electronic medical records; and

     WHEREAS, funding under this Act will support the growth and expansion of the use of health information technology through a public-private partnership between all interested health care stakeholders to build a statewide network for the people of Hawaii; and

     WHEREAS, this partnership will include the Legislature and the appropriate state agency responsible for designating an entity to be considered a "state designated entity" in order to qualify to receive funding under the federal act; and

     WHEREAS, stakeholders in the community are already mobilizing so that Hawaii can be one of the first states to apply for federal health information technology grant funding; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2009, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Legislature urges appropriate state departments, the health care community, and the technology community to work together to ensure that Hawaii is able to rapidly respond and qualify for grant monies offered in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for health care technology; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that these efforts be undertaken with guidance from Hawaii's congressional delegation so as to be as effective as possible in securing these funds; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Hawaii’s congressional delegation, the state Director of Health, the state Director of Human Services, each health plan in the State that issues health insurance policies, all public and private hospitals operating in the State, the Hawaii Broadband Task Force, the Hawaii Telehealth Collaborative, the Hawaii Health Information Exchange, all Federally Qualified Health Centers, and the Hawaii Medical Association.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Health Information Technology Grants