Report Title:

Health Screening; Pilot Project

 

Description:

Develop a two-year pilot project to get public employees to participate in health screening and achieve measurable goals. (SD1)

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

3001

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2002

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to health screening.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that it is in the State's interest that residents of Hawaii live healthy lifestyles and participate in proven ways of reducing long term costs of health care. Health care costs are on the rise and will continue to rise until our residents can live healthier lifestyles.

One way of achieving a healthier lifestyle is to participate in health screening programs like Health Pass, available through Hawaii Medical Service Association. Although these services are available, not many participate in them. Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to establish a two-year pilot program using all public employees, to find ways to encourage participation in health screening and adoption of healthier lifestyles.

SECTION 2. Section 328L-4, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"[[]§328L-4[]] Use of funds appropriated to the department. (a) The department, immediately upon receipt of the thirty-five per cent of moneys appropriated pursuant to section 328L-2(b)(2), except as provided in subsection (b), shall:

(1) Transfer up to ten per cent of the total moneys received by the State from tobacco settlement moneys to the department of human services for the children's health insurance program; and

(2) Expend the remainder of the moneys received by the department for health promotion and disease prevention programs, including but not limited to, maternal child health and child development programs, promotion of healthy lifestyles (including fitness, nutrition, and tobacco control), and prevention oriented public health programs.

For purposes of paragraph (2), the director shall convene an advisory group that shall be separate from the tobacco prevention and control advisory board, to strategically plan the development and implementation of preventive systems to achieve measurable outcomes and to make recommendations for the expenditure of these moneys. The advisory group shall be composed of nine members with expertise in the programs under paragraph (2), and shall be selected at the discretion of the director.

(b) The department shall also use the funds appropriated pursuant to section 328L-2(b)(2) to establish a two-year pilot project, hereinafter "the wellness pilot program" to include all public employees participating in the public employees health fund. This project shall:

(1) Develop a promotion campaign to encourage public employee participation in health screening;

(2) Identify successful incentives for public employees who participate in health screening such as offering a financial incentive of not more than $25 or giving the employee one-half day off to obtain the screening which does not count toward their sick leave or vacation;

(4) Develop multiple plans of action to address the main health risk, which shall include, but not be limited to, diabetes, stress, obesity, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption. These plans of actions shall be developed in a manner which can clearly measure results;

(5) Develop an incentive plan to encourage those who obtain a health assessment to follow through with a health plan;

(6) Report to the legislature no later than twenty days before the 2003 regular session, the proposal which shall set forth the implementation plan for the project; and

(7) Report to the legislature no later than twenty days before the 2004 regular session, a final report that details the success and failures of the program and makes further recommendations for its continuation for state employees and utilization in the private sector."

SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval and shall be repealed on June 30, 2004; provided that section 328L-4, Hawaii Revised Statutes, shall be reenacted in the form in which it read on the day before the effective date of this Act.