STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1321

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2019

RE: S.B. No. 804

S.D. 1

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 Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 804, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PALLIATIVE CARE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to support activities that increase the utilization of palliative care by:

(1) Establishing a culturally competent palliative pilot program to provide public education and conduct home- or community-based palliative care;

(2) Establishing a palliative care pilot program advisory group to oversee implementation of the palliative care pilot program; and

(3) Appropriating an unspecified amount for the palliative care pilot programs.

The East Hawaii Region of the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, St. Francis Healthcare System, Hawaii Family Forum, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Kōkua Mau, The Queen's Health Systems, Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii, O‘ahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, and several individuals submitted testimony in support of this measure. The Department of Health, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, League of Women Voters of Hawaii, and Hawaii Association of Health Plans offered comments on this measure.

Your Committee notes the Department of Health's testimony requesting a $350,000 appropriation for the pilot programs.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive changes for clarity, consistency, or style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 804, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 804, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

____________________________

JOHN M. MIZUNO, Chair