STAND. COM. REP. NO. 149

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 911

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 S.B. No. 911 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation to improve health care services related to cardiac care at Hilo Medical Center.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the County of Hawai‘i Office of the Mayor, Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, East Hawaii Region of Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, West Hawaii Region of Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, Hawaii Island Chamber of Commerce, Hawai‘i State Rural Health Association, and over ninety individuals.

Your Committee finds Hawaii County residents suffering from heart problems or strokes are often airlifted to Oahu or Maui to receive critical medical care, yet outcomes for individuals experiencing a cardiac emergency are often determined by how quickly they can reach treatment. An evaluation and airlift to Oahu or Maui can take over two hours, decreasing patients' chances for a full recovery. According to testimony from the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, Hawaii County has the population size and Hilo Medical Center has the intensive hospital support services and basic infrastructure to successfully deliver emergency cardiac interventions safely and cost-effectively. This measure will enable Hilo Medical Center to expand its offering of interventional cardiology, which will improve health outcomes for Hawaii County residents and ensure that Hilo Medical Center is able to provide these services to the Hilo community in a sustainable fashion.

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. 911 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,

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ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair