HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

218

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

supporting the establishment of a health care roundtable to promote improvements in hawaii's health care system.

 

WHEREAS, the cost of health care in Hawaii continues to increase, as in other states within the country; and

WHEREAS, under the Prepaid Health Care Act of 1973, private-sector employers are required to pay a significant portion of health insurance premiums for their employees who work 20 hours or more per week; and

WHEREAS, the rising cost of health care in Hawaii exerts a significant burden on individuals, families, business and government; and

WHEREAS, there is still an estimated 11 percent of the population that is uninsured; and

WHEREAS, health care providers in Hawaii continue to face fiscal cutbacks in federal funding for Medicaid and Medicare assistance; and

WHEREAS, a health care roundtable was conducted in 1993 to provide a forum for those who are financing health care, delivering care, and receiving care to explore ways to improve the Hawaii health care system and to increase the level of awareness on issues facing the health care system; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii has already successfully established a Hawaii Business Roundtable to promote Hawaii's overall economic vitality and social health; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2003, the Senate concurring, that the Legislature strongly supports the establishment of the Hawaii Health Care Roundtable to promote improvements in Hawaii's health care system; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hawaii Health Care Roundtable be convened by the Department of Health; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the membership of the Hawaii Health Care Roundtable include:

(1) The Director of Health;

(2) The Director of Human Services;

(3) Representatives from:

(A) The medical profession;

(B) Hospital administration;

(C) Physician practice organizations;

(D) Health maintenance organizations; and

(E) Small and large employers who purchase health insurance for employees;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Directors of Health and Human Services be members of the Hawaii Health Care Roundtable; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor and the Directors of Health and Human Services.

Report Title:

Hawaii Health Care Roundtable