HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1483

TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO THE HAWAII HEALTH SYSTEMS CORPORATION.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the Hawaii health systems corporation is the fourth largest public hospital system in the nation and operates public health care facilities that provide essential safety-net hospital and long-term care services throughout the State.  The legislature further finds that improving the efficiency and quality of health care services in all communities of the State has become increasingly important.  The continued financial challenges faced by the Hawaii health systems corporation and the State necessitate that state government consider and explore various options to improve the quality, efficiency, and availability of health care services in Hawaii.

     Prominent national studies have demonstrated that many public hospital systems have struggled financially for a variety of reasons, including providing a disproportionate level of uncompensated and under-compensated care compared to private hospital systems, and the inherent constraints and inefficiencies that result from operating as a governmental agency.  As a result, an increasing number of public hospitals have converted to non-public status.

     The legislature finds that allowing the operations of the regional systems of the Hawaii health systems corporation and their facilities to transition to non-public status to address the health care needs of communities throughout the State is worthy of further consideration.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish a task force to study the feasibility and merits of allowing the operations of one or more regional systems of the Hawaii health systems corporation, or one or more of its individual health facilities, to transition to non-public status.

     SECTION 2(a)  There is established a task force that shall conduct a study on the feasibility of allowing the operations of one or more regional systems of the Hawaii health systems corporation, or one or more of its individual health facilities, to transition to non-public status.  The study shall examine the advantages and disadvantages of allowing the operations of one or more regional systems of the Hawaii health systems corporation, or one or more of its individual health facilities, to transition to non-public status, and shall include the effects of such a transition on:

(1)  The quality of health care services available to communities and the State;

(2)  The operational efficiencies of health facilities in communities and the State;

(3)  The financial costs and benefits to the State; and

(4)  Health care personnel and other employees of the Hawaii health systems corporation.

In its discussions, the task force shall engage the input of members of communities that would be affected by the Hawaii health systems corporation's transition to non-public status.

     (b)  The task force shall consist of the following nine members:

(1)  Four members to be appointed by the president of the senate;

(2)  Four members to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; and

(3)  One member to be selected by the other eight members of the task force.

     (c)  The task force shall report its findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation, if any, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2014.

     (d)  The members of the task force shall not be considered employees for the purposes of chapter 84, Hawaii Revised Statutes, based solely upon their participation in the task force.

     (e)  The task force shall cease to exist on June 30, 2015. 

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.



 

Report Title:

Task Force; HHSC Transition to Non-Public Status

 

Description:

Establishes a task force to study the feasibility of allowing the operations of the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation regional systems and their facilities to transition to non-public status. Requires report to the Legislature prior to the 2014 Regular Session. Repeals task force on June 30, 2015.  (HB1483 HD1)

 

 

 

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