STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1427

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 589

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 589, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

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

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to improve stroke care in Hawaii.

 

     More specifically, this measure requires the Department of Health to participate in:

 

(1)  A systematic process to evaluate, improve, and sustain stroke care to reduce incidents of stroke-related death and disability;

 

(2)  The stroke coalition by providing reports to the coalition and other interested parties, analyzing stroke database data, identifying stroke-related issues, encouraging the sharing of information and data among health care providers, and developing and implementing strategies to improve stroke identification and treatment; and

 

(3)  A stroke database that compiles information and statistics on stroke care and assists the stroke coalition's evaluation of stroke care.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, American Heart Association, Hawaii College of Emergency Physicians, Hawaii Neurological Society, Hawaii Stroke Coalition, The Queen's Health Systems, Hawaii Pacific Health, and one individual.

 

     Your Committee finds that stroke is the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability in Hawaii.  The rapid identification, diagnosis, and treatment of strokes can save lives, and in some cases, reverse neurological damage.  Stroke care in Hawaii can be improved through the development of a coordinated system of stroke care to ensure the provision of optimal, safe, and effective emergency care in a timely manner.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 589, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

 

 

 

________________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair