STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1325

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2011

RE:   H.R. No. 61

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.R. No. 61 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING HEALTH INSURERS IN HAWAII TO PROVIDE COVERAGE OR REIMBURSEMENT FOR SERVICES RELATED TO PALLIATIVE CARE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this resolution is to provide greater affordability of and access to palliative care treatment for acute and chronic pain patients by requesting that accident and health or sickness insurers in Hawaii, including mutual benefit societies and health maintenance organizations, provide coverage for palliative care health services.

     The Representative of the 38^th District, American Cancer Society, Hawaii Medical Association, and St. Francis Healthcare System of Hawaii testified in support of this measure.  The Hawaii Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association offered comments.

     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. 61 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

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

____________________________

RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair