STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1434-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

RE:   H.R. No. 73

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.R. No. 73 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII TO PROVIDE IMMEDIATE AND EMERGENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO WAHIAWA GENERAL HOSPITAL,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to enable Wahiawa General Hospital (WGH) to provide uninterrupted medical services to nearby and other communities within the State by requesting:

(1)  The Governor to provide financial assistance to WGH in a sufficient amount to enable it to operate while developing a new business model, including potential discussions with other hospitals and organizations; and

(2)  The Legislature to provide sufficient funds to WGH while WGH, the WGH Board, and interested parties seek potential affiliation with a larger business partner to create a more effective integration of clinical and non-clinical services and a more efficient business model.

The Hawaii Health Systems Corporation; University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine; Wahiawa-Whitmore Village Neighborhood Board No. 26; North Shore Chamber of Commerce; International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, District Council 50; Hawaii Academy of Family Physicians; Wahiawa Community and Business Association; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 1260; The Wahiawa Center for Community Health; The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; United Public Workers, AFSCME, Local 646, and AFL-CIO; American Medical Response; Hawaii State AFL-CIO; Healthcare Association of Hawaii; Pacific Resource Partnership; WGH; Senior Behavioral Health; ILWU Local 142; ALEA Bridge; and numerous individuals testified in support of this measure.

     Upon careful consideration, your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1)  Requesting the Governor to convene meetings with the Director of Health, Director of Human Services, Chief Executive Officer of the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, and the Administrator of the State Health Planning and Development Agency, or their respective designees, to identify opportunities to assist WGH in continuing its operations;

(2)  Requesting Hawaii's Congressional Delegation to support WGH in providing a continuum of care in the State by seeking resources to support WGH, including resources for rural healthcare facilities and distressed communities;

(3)  Including Hawaii Medical Service Association, Tripler Army Medical Center, and the United States Army as participants in discussions regarding developing a new business model for WGH; and

(4)  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. 73, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 73, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

DELLA AU BELATTI, Chair