STAND. COM. REP. NO.  139

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

 

RE:   H.B. No. 590

 

 

 

 

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. 590 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO VACCINATIONS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this bill is to improve the overall health of Hawaii's population and reduce the incidence of cervical cancer by:

 

(1)  Requiring health insurance coverage for human papillomavirus (HPV) immunizations; and

 

(2)  Including:

 

(A)  HPV immunization among services available from the Department of Health (DOH) to indigents and others; and

 

(B)  Papillomavirus immunization among the vaccinations in DOH's teen vax program.

 

     The Hawaii Medical Service Association, American Cancer Society, Hawaii Women's Political Caucus, Hawaii Chapter of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, and several concerned individuals supported this bill.  DOH opposed this measure.  Kaiser Permanente submitted comments on this bill.

 

     Your Committee finds that recent breakthroughs in the fight against cancer should be provided to the public through public-private coordinated initiatives.  However, a balance must be found that will allow for the most efficient methods of disseminating information to the greatest number of people about the availability of immunizations for HPV.  Mandating procedures that may create undue burdens for organizations, such as requiring costly editing of informational literature or correspondence that currently provide information to the public, should be avoided.

 

     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. 590 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

JOSHUA B. GREEN, M.D., Chair