STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1641

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2019

RE: S.B. No. 1404

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Lower & Higher Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 1404, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LOAN REPAYMENT FOR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to improve access to health care in rural areas by:

(1) Expanding the Hawaii Rural Health Care Provider Loan Repayment Program to include advanced practice registered nurses, registered nurses, and licensed social workers; and

(2) Appropriating funds to the Department of Health for the Hawaii Rural Health Care Provider Loan Repayment Program.

The University of Hawaii, East Hawaii Region of the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, Mayor of Hawaii County, Hawaii State Center for Nursing, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, The Queen's Health Systems, Hawaii Pacific Health, Hawaii Medical Service Association, Hawaii Medical Association, Lanai Community Health Center, Hilo Medical Center Foundation, and many concerned individuals supported this measure. The Department of Health submitted comments.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Removing the eligibility of advanced practice registered nurses, registered nurses, and licensed social workers to participate in the Hawaii Rural Health Care Provider Loan Repayment Program;

(2) Changing its effective date to July 1, 2052, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Lower & Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1404, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1404, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Lower & Higher Education,

____________________________

JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair