STAND. COM. REP. NO.  696

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2011

RE:   H.B. No. 902

      H.D. 2

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 902, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to improve access to health care in Hawaii, particularly in rural areas, by establishing the Hawaii Medical Doctor Loan Program (Program).  Specifically, the Program will provide a low-interest loan with waiver provisions to individuals who agree to practice in rural areas of the State, as designated by the University of Hawaii (UH), and who are also:

     (1)  Students who complete a State-approved medical school program at UH; or

     (2)  Graduates of a medical school who have received medical training from a Hawaii-based medical program.

     The UH System and The League of Women Voters of Hawaii supported this bill.  The Department of Budget and Finance provided comments.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 902, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 902, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

MARCUS R. OSHIRO, Chair