STAND. COM. REP. NO.365

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2001

RE: H.B. No. 665

H.D. 1

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 665 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COMMUNITY ORAL HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to require the fluoride supplementation of public water systems with 5,000 or more service connections.

The Department of Health, State Health Planning and Development Agency, Hawaii Statewide Health Coordinating Council, Executive Office on Aging, Kokua Council, Hawaii Public Health Association, Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, Hawaii Dental Association, Hawaii Dental Hygienists Association, numbers of dentists, dental hygienists, healthcare providers, and concerned citizens testified in support of this measure.

A large amount of testimony in opposition to this measure was also received from the Respiratory and Environmental Disabilities Association of Hawaii, Hawaii Citizens for Health, Down to Earth Natural Foods and Lifestyles, Citizens for Safe Drinking Water Hawaii, several dentists and physicians, and numerous private citizens.

Your Committee understands that Hawaii has had a dismal dental health history especially among young children. A Center for Disease Control report found that Hawaii's children suffer from a rate of tooth decay that is more than twice the national average. Moreover, your Committee finds that the oral health of children is generally reflective of the overall health of the community.

The economic, as well as healthcare, impact on the people of Hawaii could be tremendous through the implementation of this plan. In Hawaii, according to the Department of Health's calculations, approximately $20 million are spent annually to combat and deal with complications caused by tooth decay. It is projected that for every dollar spent on fluoridation the public will save $80 in dental care costs.

In addition, it was brought to your Committee's attention that community water fluoridation is already performed in many large cities nationwide with no public health endangerment reported while proving to be an efficient means of significantly reducing tooth decay. It was also pointed out that fluoride was a naturally occurring element that already exists in water systems throughout Hawaii in trace amounts.

Many of those opposing the measure voiced their concerns regarding the ill effects of over fluoridation, side effects, allergic reactions, possible liability issues, freedom of choice, the efficacy and safety of fluoridation, corrosion of water pipes, and the possible destruction of flora and fauna from fluoridated water systems.

Your Committee also recognizes the concern voiced by many opponents of the measure that once fluoridation of the water system was carried out, it would be difficult to eliminate the fluoride from the water system.

Your Committee acknowledges that this is a public health issue and that the benefits of fluoridation outweigh the risks. Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Requiring the Department of Health and the boards of water supply to submit a plan to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the 2002 regular session on how this Act will be implemented;

(2) Requiring the Department of Health and the boards of water supply to report to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2002 on the concerns raised related to the fluoridation of the community water system including but not limited to:

(a) Public education and awareness efforts in communities targeted by this Act;

(b) Environmental concerns, such as wastewater run-off and the effects of fluoridation on flora and fauna;

(c) The lack of Food and Drug Administration approval of fluoride in the water;

(d) The lack of Environmental Protection Agency approval for community water fluoridation;

(e) The effects of fluoridation on individuals with chemical sensitivities; and

(f) The methods of monitoring water fluoridation levels;

(3) Requiring the Department of Health and boards of water supply to provide a sunset report twenty days prior to the convening of the 2011 legislative session to provide an evaluation of the outcomes and problems of the program;

(4) Adding a sunset clause; and

(5) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of clarity and 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 H.B. No. 665, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 665, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

 

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

____________________________

DENNIS A. ARAKAKI, Chair