STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2841

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 292

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 292, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

Statewide Health Coordinating Council

G.M. No. 292

RICHARD E. MEIERS, for a term to expire 6-30-2012,

begs leave to report as follows:

     Your Committee reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by the nominee, and finds Richard E. Meiers to have the necessary qualifications to be appointed to the Statewide Health Coordinating Council.

     Testimony in support of the nominee was submitted by one state agency, one private organization, and one individual.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Richard E. Meiers has extensive experience both in military and civilian settings including Ambulance Company Commander and Headquarters Company Commander of the 7th Medical Battalion in Korea, Clinic Administrator at domestic and international Army hospitals, Chief of Staff at Army Medical Centers in Colorado and Honolulu, and, most recently, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Healthcare Association of Hawaii.  He holds a Master's degree in Hospital Administration from Baylor University and received the 1996 Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award from the U.S. Army/Baylor University Program in Health Administration.

     Mr. Meiers' participation with and leadership of business, community, and government committees is noteworthy in both its breadth and scope.  He is presently serving on numerous committees and task forces, a sampling of which includes the Nationwide Medicaid Hospital Association Coalition, Hawaii Health Systems Corporation Board of Directors, the Hawaii Chamber of Commerce Healthcare/Tourism Administrative Steering Committee and Health Care Reform Committee, Hawaii's Uninsured Project, the University of Hawaii at Manoa School of Nursing Advisory Board, and the California Healthcare Insurance Board.

     Your Committee finds that Mr. Meiers' depth of knowledge and experience in Hawaii's health care system would make him a valuable contributor to the Statewide Health Coordinating Council's work in revising the Hawaii State Health Services and Facilities Plan and overseeing health care planning for Hawaii's residents.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominee, has found the nominee to be qualified for the position to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.

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

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair