STAND. COM. REP. 1545

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: S.C.R. No. 16

S.D. 1

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 S.C.R. No. 16, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO DEVELOP PUBLIC HEALTH STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS THE HEPATITIS C PROBLEM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to request the Department of Health (DOH) to address hepatitis C infections and related issues including, among other things, developing a plan, conducting surveillance, and promoting professional education.

The Hawaii Government Employees Association, Hoffman La Roche Service Corporation, HepCats, and several concerned individuals testified in support of this measure. DOH supported the intent of this measure.

Your Committee has amended this concurrent resolution by:

(1) Inserting information on HCV transmission;

(2) Deleting reference to the prevalence of hepatitis C in emergency service and health care personnel;

(3) Requesting DOH to provide a briefing instead of a written report to the Legislature; and

(4) 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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 16, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 16, S.D. 1, H.D. 1.

 

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

 

____________________________

DENNIS A. ARAKAKI, Chair