STAND. COM. REP. NO.  22

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

 

RE:   H.B. No. 212

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 212 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH CARE,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this bill is to improve the provision of health care statewide by directing the State Health Planning and Development Agency to develop and maintain a statewide comprehensive health care workforce map and database (Map and Database) to:

 

     (1)  Compile and analyze existing data on the supply and distribution of all health care practitioners, technicians, and other health care workers by specialty and practice location;

 

     (2)  Develop a plan to collect and systematically update data; and

 

     (3)  Develop a plan to project and meet future health care workforce needs.

 

     The bill appropriates an unspecified amount for the development and maintenance of the Map and Database.

 

     The Department of Human Services, County of Hawaii, Hawaii Medical Service Association, Hawaii Psychiatric Medical Association, and a concerned individual supported this bill.  The Department of Health (DOH) and Hawaii Medical Association supported the intent of this measure.

 

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

 

(1)  Requiring DOH to develop and maintain a secure Map and Database;

 

(2)  Requiring DOH in the development and maintenance of a secure Map and Database to:

 

     (A)  Develop a plan to address and reduce any identified shortages of health care workers; and

 

     (B)  Ensure that data collected is accurate and secure, and that data specific to any practitioner is disclosed only with the express written consent of the practitioner;

 

(3)  Specifying the appropriation amount of $500,000 for DOH;

 

(4)  Expanding the purpose section of the bill to include other reasons for and consequences of the shortage of health care professionals in Hawaii; and

 

(5)  Making technical, nonsubstantive changes for clarity, consistency, 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. 212, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 212, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Labor & Public Employment.

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

JOSHUA B. GREEN, M.D., Chair