STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1241

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

 

RE:   S.B. No. 1804

      S.D. 2

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committees on Health and Transportation, to which was referred S.B. No. 1804, S.D. 2, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE TRAUMA SYSTEM SPECIAL FUND,"

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to establish additional funding resources for the trauma system special fund to ensure the continued viability of trauma centers in the State.

 

     Specifically, the measure:

 

     (1)  Establishes surcharges for traffic violations, violations that result in accidents involving death or bodily injury, and other various criminal convictions related to violence and drug use;

 

     (2)  Clarifies that the trauma system special fund consists of, but is not limited to, trauma system surcharges and cigarette tax revenues;

 

     (3)  Requires the Department of Health to establish a methodology to calculate costs incurred by hospitals providing care to trauma patients based on physician on-call coverage, equipment, and the creation of overflow capacity; and

 

     (4)  Makes appropriations to and out of the trauma system special fund.

 

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Queen's Medical Center.  The Department of Health submitted comments on this measure.

 

     Your Committees find that trauma care is a public health priority.  A statewide trauma system that is publicly supported can reduce death and disability from injuries and improve the health and welfare of Hawaii residents.  Your Committees further find that the financial pressure on hospitals that provide trauma services, often without compensation, is exacerbated by the high cost of providing care to trauma patients, who are often in critical condition and require extensive support.  Accordingly, your Committees find that increasing the sources of revenue for the trauma system special fund is necessary to ensure the viability of the State's trauma system.

 

Your Committees, however, believe that a report from the Auditor, pursuant to section 23-11, Hawaii Revised Statutes, may be necessary before further action can be taken on this measure.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Transportation that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1804, S.D. 2, and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Health and Transportation,

 

 

____________________________

JOSEPH M. SOUKI, Chair

 

____________________________

JOSHUA B. GREEN, M.D., Chair