STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1046

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

RE:   S.B. No. 169

      S.D. 2

      H.D. 1

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 S.B. No. 169, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HAWAII HEALTH CORPS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to ensure access to health care in the state's rural, medically underserved areas by establishing:

(1)  The Hawaii Health Corps Program; and

(2)  A loan repayment program and an incentive plan for the recruitment of health care professionals to serve in shortage areas.

     The State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Hawaii Medical Association, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Hawaii Dental Hygienists' Association, Hawaii Association of Justice, Hawaii Society of Naturopathic Physicians, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Hawaii, and Hawaii Medical Service Association supported this bill.  AARP supported the intent of this measure.  The Department of Budget and Finance and the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism submitted comments.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

(1)  Clarifying that all certified social workers are considered recruitment health professionals under this bill;

(2)  Including physician assistants, advance practice registered nurses, and naturopathic physicians under those covered as repayment health care professionals;

(3)  Providing preference for participation in the Program for licensed physicians who have graduated from a school of medicine and have received Hawaii-based medical training; and

(4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive changes for clarity, consistency, and style.

     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. 169, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 169, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Higher Education.

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

____________________________

RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair