STAND. COM. REP. NO. 150

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 979

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 979 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WELLNESS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to create a Healthy Families Initiative pilot program and to appropriate funds for the Initiative.  The intent of this measure is to develop initiatives that positively influence healthy behavior and to bring Hawaii into compliance with federal health reform legislation requirements by 2014.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health; the American Cancer Society Hawaii Pacific, Inc.; Hawaii Medical Service Association; Hawaii Pacific Health; AlohaCare; Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services; Hawaii Business Health Council; and one individual.

 

     Your Committee finds that seventy percent of chronic conditions are related to personal behaviors and unhealthy lifestyle choices.  Based on testimony received, your Committee finds that in order to prevent negative health conditions arising from poor lifestyle choices, Hawaii must support change in personal behaviors by funding prevention programs.  Your Committee further finds that in order for the Healthy Families Initiative to be successful, it must utilize measurable outcomes based on real data collected from the population served to gauge success.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Clarifying that the Healthy Families Initiative shall be a comprehensive program that deploys multiple interventions and includes the following components:

 

         (A)  Data collection from the population to be served that highlights the population's needs, desires, and motivations with respect to healthy lifestyle choices;

 

         (B)  Measurable outcomes that include reduction in health care costs and clinical elements; and

 

         (C)  A system of accountability for the State's delivery of measurable outcomes; and

 

     (2)  Requiring that a percentage of funds appropriated by this measure shall be used for preventative services.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 979, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 979, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

 

 

 

____________________________

JOSH GREEN, M.D., Chair