STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1211

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    GOV. MSG. NO. 541

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred Governor's Message No. 541, submitting for study and consideration the nomination of: 

 

Director of the Department of Health

 

G.M. No. 541

BRUCE S. ANDERSON,

for a term to expire at noon on 12‑05‑2022,

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     Your Committee reviewed the personal history, resume, and statement submitted by Bruce S. Anderson for service as the Director of Health.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the reappointment of Bruce S. Anderson from Governor David Y. Ige, Department of Human Resources Development, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Public Safety, Department of Transportation, Department of Agriculture, Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Department of Taxation, Department of Accounting and General Services, Department of Budget and Finance, Executive Office on Aging, State Health Planning and Development Agency, Environmental Health Services Division of the Department of Health, Office of Enterprise Technology Services, Health Resources Administration of the Department of Health, Office of Environmental Quality Control, Honolulu Board of Water Supply, Hawai‘i Public Health Institute, Hawaii Medical Service Association, American Heart Association, Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, The Queen's Health Systems, Kaiser Permanente Hawai‘i, Hawaii Business League, Hawai‘i Farm Bureau, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, SanHi Government Strategies, and sixteen individuals.  Your Committee received comments on the nomination for the reappointment of Bruce S. Anderson from Akamai Cannabis Clinic.

 

     Your Committee finds that Bruce S. Anderson has been serving as the Director of Health since June 2018.  This marks Dr. Anderson's return to the position of Director of Health following his original appointment in 1999.  After leaving the Department of Health in 2002, Dr. Anderson continued a distinguished career in the public and private sectors, including previous service as the Director of the Environmental Health Program at the University of Hawaii, President of the Oceanic Institute, Director of Health and Science Programs at Hawaii Pacific University, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, and Administrator of the Division of Aquatic Resources in the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

 

     Your Committee notes that Dr. Anderson has spent over thirty-five years managing health and environmental protection programs in Hawaii, an experience that has given him a deep familiarity with and commitment to addressing rapidly evolving health and environmental issues, and their impacts on the State.

 

     The experience and knowledge Dr. Anderson has developed, combined with the relationships he has cultivated over the course of his career will be invaluable during his continued tenure at the Department of Health.  The State is facing multiple serious health issues, such as climate change, drug abuse, and the mental health and homelessness crisis, all of which go beyond any one department or discipline.  Dr. Anderson's diverse background makes him an ideal candidate to build inter-departmental alliances and strengthen cooperation between the public and private sector.  Dr. Anderson noted in his personal statement that one of his personal strategies is to be a connector to create, facilitate, and support the partnerships necessary to leverage resources and accomplish his goals for the Department.

 

     Your Committee notes that throughout his career, Dr. Anderson has repeatedly demonstrated commitment to innovation and efficiency, a commitment which is central to his vision for the Department of Health.  Although still relatively new to the position, Dr. Anderson is already overseeing the development of a comprehensive case management system for children and adults served by both the Department's behavioral health and developmental disabilities programs, which will result in more effective and efficient delivery of services.  Looking forward, Dr. Anderson listed e-cigarette use by youth, climate change and its impacts on public health, and the lack of mental health services in our communities as the three main areas of concern he plans to focus on during his tenure at the Department of Health as he works to promote a culture of health throughout Hawaii.

 

     Your Committee therefore finds that Dr. Anderson's leadership abilities, professional experience, and extensive knowledge, particularly in the areas of environmental sustainability and health, will continue to be valuable assets to the Department of Health and, for these reasons, recommends that Dr. Anderson be reappointed as the Director of Health.

 

     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, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominee, has found the nominee to be qualified for the position to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nomination.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair