STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2129

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2687

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 2687 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CANCER,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to create and appropriate funds for the colorectal cancer screening and awareness program within the Department of Health.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaii Cancer Center, The Queen's Health Systems, and four individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that according to United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, Hawaii's current screening rate for colorectal cancer is sixty-four percent, which, when compared to all states, ranks in the bottom half.  This indicates that there is more work to be done to increase colorectal cancer screening rates in the State, which will help detect and prevent death from late stage colorectal cancer.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2687 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health,

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ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair