STAND. COM. REP. NO. 702

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 1301

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health & Homelessness, to which was referred H.B. No. 1301 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CANCER,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to the University of Hawaii Cancer Center for a multi-ethnic cohort study focusing on the social determinants of health, lifestyles, environmental exposures, and resilience factors of Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, and Filipinos.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa John A. Burns School of Medicine, Hawai‘i Primary Care Association, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and eleven individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General.

Your Committee finds that the University of Hawaii Cancer Center is the only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center in Hawaii and the Pacific region and conducts cancer research focusing on Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, and Filipinos. National data typically aggregate health information for Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, and Filipinos, which ignores the rich cultural and lifestyle diversity of these populations and mask their marked differences in cancer incidence and outcomes. Your Committee also finds that although cancer incidence and mortality rates have decreased in Hawaii over the last decade, the disparities between ethnic populations continue to be of concern. Furthermore, due to gaps in available data, the specific reasons behind these disparities remain unknown. This measure appropriates funds for a multi-ethnic cohort study to help capture relevant information and address research gaps.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting language identifying this measure as a matter of statewide concern;

(2) Changing the effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1301, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1301, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

DELLA AU BELATTI, Chair