STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1659

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.C.R. No. 23

       H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committees on Health and Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 23, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE FORMATION OF A TASK FORCE TO DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING OBESITY PREVENTION-RELATED SERVICES AND COUNSELING IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PATIENT PROTECTION AND AFFORDABLE CARE ACT,"

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the formation of a task force to develop recommendations for improving obesity prevention-related services and counseling in accordance with the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

 

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Hawaii Pacific Health, Papa Ola Lokahi, and one individual.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from one individual.

 

     Your Committees find that obesity is a major health and economic concern for Hawaii and the nation, causing higher medical costs and lower quality of life.  Adult obesity in Hawaii more than doubled between 1995 and 2009, and childhood obesity in Hawaii increased by thirty-eight percent between 1999 and 2009.  Your Committees find that the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act provides an opportunity to asses gaps in healthcare providers' ability to prevent and treat obesity in Hawaii, educate healthcare providers about reimbursable medical costs related to obesity prevention and treatment under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and encourage healthcare providers to provide services and counseling to overweight and obese patients.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Commerce and Consumer Protection that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 23, H.D. 1, and recommend its adoption.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Health and Commerce and Consumer Protection,

 

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair

 

____________________________

JOSH GREEN, Chair