STAND. COM. REP. 449

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: H.B. No. 667

H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 667 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS SERVING THE MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to assist individuals who are unable to afford health care by appropriating funds to Hawaii's system of nonprofit, community-based health care providers specializing in preventive care for the medically underserved.

The Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center and Hawaii Primary Care Association testified in support of this measure. The Department of Health supported the intent of this measure.

Your Committee finds that it is imperative that the State ensures access to primary and preventive health care for its residents and that ensuring such access reduces state expenditures arising from hospital and emergency room services for preventable injuries or illnesses. Further, your Committee finds that the system of nonprofit, community-based health care providers established to serve those who cannot afford to pay for care requires adequate financial support.

Your Committee has amended this bill by:

(1) Changing the appropriation amounts to $1 to facilitate further discussion; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for purposes of clarity, conformity, 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. 667, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 667, 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