STAND. COM. REP. NO. 417

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 977

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health and Judiciary and Labor, to which was referred S.B. No. 977 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII HEALTH AUTHORITY,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to abolish the Hawaii Health Authority, which was created for overall health planning for the State and to develop a comprehensive plan to provide universal health care in Hawaii.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health and Department of Human Services.  Your Committees received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Americans for Democratic Action Hawai‘i; We are One, Inc.; Community Coalition for Hawaii Universal Healthcare Through Comprehensive Planning; Healthcare for All Hawaii; Democratic Party of Hawai‘i; and forty-eight individuals.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

     Your Committees find that the Hawaii Health Authority was established in 2009 to be responsible for overall health planning for the State and to develop a comprehensive plan to provide universal health care in Hawaii.  However, the State Health Planning and Development Agency and the Health Care Innovation Office also conduct comprehensive health planning activities.  As the private health care sector continues to evolve in response to federal policy changes, new business models, and emerging technologies, abolishing the Hawaii Health Authority moves the State toward more efficient and streamlined health planning and policy management.  Your Committees further acknowledge the concerns and reservations raised by members of your Committees during the hearing, however, your Committees feel strongly that the purpose of this measure is important for the health sector of our State and is worthy of further consideration, thus your Committees hope that a strong consensus of the members can be achieved as this measure moves through the legislative process.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health and Judiciary and Labor that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 977 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health and Judiciary and Labor,

________________________________ GILBERT S.C. KEITH-AGARAN, Chair

________________________________ ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair