STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3543

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.C.R. No. 154

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 154 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO DEVELOP A STATE ACTION PLAN TO COMBAT CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE IN THE STATE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Department of Health to develop a state action plan to combat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the State.   

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii COPD Coalition and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is the third leading cause of death in the United States and the second leading cause of disability.  On average, one American dies from this disease every four minutes.  Your Committee further finds that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has not received the attention warranted by a condition of such severity and prevalence.  Consequently, efforts to advance public awareness of prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are of critical importance.

     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.C.R. No. 154, and recommends its adoption.

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

____________________________

JOSH GREEN, M.D., Chair