STAND. COM. REP. NO. 310

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1076

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 1076 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to enable the residents of the County of Hawaii to have a greater say in developing a comprehensive health plan for the county by establishing a temporary Hawaii county health initiative task force that is to develop a comprehensive strategic health plan and expedite the approval of new acute care facilities and medical or emergency services for the county.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Primary Care Association and one individual.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Department of Health.

     Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Your Committee finds that this measure is necessary to the viability of a successful health care delivery system in the County of Hawaii.  Your Committee further finds that the temporary Hawaii county health initiative task force should consist of appointed individuals that are currently working on the development of a comprehensive health plan for the county.

     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. 1076 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