STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2142

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: GOV. MSG. NOS. 673, 674

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 Nos. 673 and 674, submitting for study and consideration the nominations of:

Statewide Health Coordinating Council

G.M. No. 673	COLETTE MASUNAGA, for a term to expire 06-30-2022; and
G.M. No. 674	HILARY OKUMURA, for a term to expire 06-30-2021,

begs leave to report as follows:

Your Committee reviewed the personal histories, resumes, and statements submitted by Colette Masunaga and Hilary Okumura for service on the Statewide Health Coordinating Council.

COLETTE MASUNAGA

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Colette Masunaga from the State Health Planning and Development Agency, The Queen's Health Systems, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, and eight individuals.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Masunaga's background, experience, and commitment to public service qualify her to be nominated for appointment to the Statewide Health Coordinating Council. Your Committee notes that Ms. Masunaga is currently a Legislative Analyst with The Queen's Health Systems, Government Relations and External Affairs, where she manages city, county, state, and federal issues related to health care policy and regulation for The Queen's Health Systems. Ms. Masunaga previously worked in Washington, D.C. as a Legislative Analyst for the late Congressman Mark Takai, where she focused on policy issues including health care and senior services. Your Committee further finds that Ms. Masunaga's experience with health care policy issues at the federal and state level will provide a valuable point of view to the Statewide Health Coordinating Council and therefore recommends that Ms. Masunaga be appointed to the Statewide Health Coordinating Council based on her knowledge and experience.

HILARY OKUMURA

Your Committee received testimony in support of the nomination for the appointment of Hilary Okumura from the State Health Planning and Development Agency and three individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to the nomination for the appointment of Hilary Okumura from one individual.

Upon review of the testimony, your Committee finds that Ms. Okumura's background and experience qualify her to be nominated for appointment to the Statewide Health Coordinating Council. Your Committee notes that Ms. Okumura has been in the long-term care industry for the past eight years and is currently the Administrator for Nuuanu Hale. Ms. Okumura is active in the community and has volunteered with the Hawaii State Office of Health Care Assurance, Kidney Health and Diabetes Management Program, and Kapiolani Medical Center for Women and Children. Your Committee further finds that Ms. Okumura also worked with Na Pu‘uwai Native Hawaiian Health Care System for the islands of Molokai and Lanai and her familiarity with issues relating to access to care on those islands will provide valuable insight to the Statewide Health Coordinating Council. Your Committee therefore recommends that Ms. Okumura be appointed to the Statewide Health Coordinating Council based on her experience, knowledge, and dedication to the long-term care industry.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health that are attached to this report, your Committee, after full consideration of the background, experience, and qualifications of the nominees, has found the nominees to be qualified for the positions to which nominated and recommends that the Senate advise and consent to the nominations.

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

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair