STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2250

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 3107

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 3107 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to help persons suffering from multiple chronic conditions through the following initiatives:

(1) A comprehensive and coordinated continuum of treatment services;

(2) A pilot project for a centralized referral system;

(3) Case management programs for substance use disorders; and

(4) Supervisors for volunteer peer mentors and coaches and incentives for volunteer peer mentors and coaches.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Ku Aloha Ola Mau; Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition; Big Island Substance Abuse Council; Hina Mauka; Ohana Makamae, Inc.; Life Foundation and The CHOW Project; The Salvation Army Addiction Treatment Services; Hawaii Advisory Commission on Drugs and Controlled Substances; and three individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

Your Committee finds that the high prevalence of individuals with multiple chronic conditions is a persistent problem and that health care costs are skyrocketing, with approximately sixty-six percent of total health care spending directed toward the approximately twenty-seven percent of Americans with multiple chronic conditions.

Your Committee finds that all four of the initiatives that would be funded by this measure would help reduce overall health care costs, especially for individuals with multiple chronic conditions, and are in line with best practices. Your Committee believes that all four of the initiatives in this measure are valuable and requests continued consideration for funding of all four initiatives as this measure moves through the legislative process. However, your Committee emphasizes that, of the four initiatives, the top priority is the centralized referral system.

Your Committee urges the Department of Health to continue any and all steps it has already taken to improve treatment of individuals with multiple chronic conditions. Your Committee notes that, for the Department of Health to expand its existing work, the Department will require additional funding. Your Committee strongly urges the Department of Health to pursue grants and other outside funding to support the initiatives that are proposed to be funded by this measure and requests that the Department provide estimates for any additional funding that will be required.

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. 3107 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,

________________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair