STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2233

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2107

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 2107 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds for the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation primary care training program at the Hilo Medical Center.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of the Mayor, County Hawaii; County Council, County of Maui; Hawaii County Council; Hawaii State Association of Counties; Healthcare Association of Hawaii; Hawaii Health Systems Corporation; West Hawaii Regional Board of the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation; Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Hilo Medical Center Foundation; Hawaii Medical Association; Community Alliance for Mental Health; Hastings and Pleadwell; Hilo Medical Center; Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce; Hawaii Island Family Medicine Residency; Hawaii Association of Professional Nurses; and several individuals.

     Your Committee finds that the State and the island of Hawaii face a severe physician shortage, with a recent study estimating that Hawaii County needs one hundred fifty more doctors to provide an adequate level of health care to residents.  Your Committee further finds that the primary care training program will help to address the shortage of primary health care providers in the State.  This measure will improve health care options for thousands of patients and provide a model to meet the growing need for physicians in underserved areas.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2107 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

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

____________________________

JOSH GREEN, Chair