Report Title:

Appropriation for hospital based community health programs

 

Description:

Appropriates funds for hospital based community

 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

814

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR HOSPITAL-BASED COMMUNITY HEALTH PROGRAMS.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that in the twenty-first century, hospitals, as health care providers, can no longer focus solely on treating the sick and injured, but must also concern themselves with preventive medicine. In Hawaii, there is a mounting and unanswered problem of providing health care for at risk populations, such as seniors and youth. Health care providers must place greater emphasis on creating hospital-based community health programs where wellness and prevention go hand-in-hand with diagnosis and treatment. Hospital-based community health care programs provide Hawaii residents with the ability to make positive choices to promote health, active lifestyles, and disease and injury prevention. This is accomplished by providing information and services through health education programs within the community that are targeted to at-risk groups.

The legislature finds that the support of hospital-based community health care programs serves the dual public purpose of promoting a healthier citizenry while facilitating state plans to strengthen Hawaii's economy by developing science and technology industries. These programs will provide a direct boost to the health and tourism industries, two of the largest industries in the State. Because health care is a clean, quiet industry, the legislature finds that the proposed hospital-based community health care programs will also create jobs near residential areas without negatively affecting those areas.

The purpose of this Act is to provide financial support for hospital-based community health programs in the State.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $450,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2001–2002 to further the following existing hospital-based community health programs at the Wahiawa General Hospital:

(1) Teachers On the Move, a program offered to get local teachers healthier with more active lifestyles, thus providing role models for their students;

2) CPR/basic first aid certification for teachers and school children;

(3) Support and supplemental training provided to department of education trainers;

(4) Education to students, parents, teachers, and coaches regarding nutrition, strength/endurance training, injury prevention, and injury treatment;

(5) Education specifically geared to students regarding cardiovascular health, drug/alcohol awareness, teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, and general hygiene;

(6) Walk the Talk, a program offered to employees of health care facilities to improve their health and fitness;

(7) Rainbow Island Walkers, a program offered to seniors to encourage active and healthy lifestyles;

(8) Bicycle safety programs for young children; and

(9) Coordinating the medical support for various community athletic events.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii health systems corporation for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2001.

INTRODUCED BY:

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