STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1404

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

RE:   H.R. No. 185

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.R. No. 185 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO REVIEW AND ASSESS THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES IMPLEMENTED BY HOSPITALS TO REDUCE ELECTIVE CESAREAN SECTIONS AND INDUCTION OF LABOR,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this resolution is to promote best practices in child birth by requesting the Department of Health (DOH) to review and assess:

(1)  The criteria used by hospitals and physicians for indications for elective inductions or cesarean sections; and

(2)  The policies and procedures implemented by hospitals to reduce elective cesarean sections and induction of labor.

     The Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Hawaii, March of Dimes Foundation – Hawaii Chapter, and several concerned individual supported this resolution.  DOH opposed this measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 185 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

____________________________

RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair