STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1343

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2013

RE:   H.R. No. 172

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.R. No. 172 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING THE CONVENING OF A TASK FORCE TO ESTABLISH A STROKE SYSTEM OF CARE IN THE STATE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to improve outcomes for stroke patients by urging the Department of Health to convene a task force to establish a stroke system of care.

The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association and Healthcare Association of Hawaii testified in support of this measure. The Department of Health, Hawaii Pacific Health, and The Queen's Medical Center supported this measure with amendments.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Clarifying the role of the Healthcare Association of Hawaii to be represented through a member of the task force and to identify relevant practitioners for inclusion as additional members;

     (2)  Including representatives from Hawaii Neurological Society and the American College of Emergency Physicians as well as other stakeholders on the task force; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments 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 concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 172, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 172, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

DELLA AU BELATTI, Chair