HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

135

TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting the department of commerce and consumer affairs to establish a health care task force within the insurance division to develop a plan to improve the delivery of health care in the state.

 

 

 


     WHEREAS, the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs performs a variety of functions for the benefit of businesses, consumers, and the general population of the State; and

 

     WHEREAS, the department's Insurance Division is responsible for overseeing the insurance industry in the State and ensuring that consumers are provided with insurance services, including services relating to health care, that meet acceptable standards of quality, equity, and dependability at fair rates; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Insurance Division is uniquely positioned to help devise improvements to the delivery of health care in the State; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-eighth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2016, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs is requested to establish within the Insurance Division a health care task force to develop a plan to improve the delivery of health care in the State; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to comprise thirteen members to be appointed by the Governor without regard to section 26-34, Hawaii Revised Statutes, as follows:

 

     (1)  Three members selected from a list of persons nominated by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

 

     (2)  Three members selected from a list of persons nominated by the President of the Senate;

 

     (3)  One member selected from a list of persons recommended by the Insurance Commissioner;

 

     (4)  Three members from private sector organizations;

 

     (5)  Two members representing public sector unions; and

 

     (6)  One member representing neighbor island residents,

 

with all appointments to be made by July 15, 2016, and any vacancy in the task force's membership to be filled in the same manner as the original appointment; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all members of the task force are requested to have experience in health care and the health care industry; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to select a chairperson from among its members and to develop procedures for removal or suspension of members for cause; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in order to conduct business a majority of task force members shall constitute a quorum and, when a quorum is in attendance, the concurrence of a majority of the members in attendance shall make any action of the task force valid; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the health care task force is requested to develop a plan to improve the delivery of health care in the State and specifically to address:

 

     (1)  The efficiency and effectiveness of the health care delivery system, including ways to improve efficiencies and effectiveness;

     (2)  The impact of consolidation, acquisition, and partnerships of hospitals on health care delivery;

 

     (3)  The shortage of physicians statewide, including recruitment, retention, and training of physicians in the State; and

 

     (4)  The status and effectiveness of the University of Hawaii medical residency program in addressing the shortage of physicians in the State, particularly in rural communities; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force may request assistance from the Insurance Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Department of Health, Department of Human Services, other appropriate state agencies, others in the health field, and the public in fulfilling the purpose of the task force; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that no member of the task force shall be made subject to chapter 84, Hawaii Revised Statutes, solely because of that member's participation as a member of the task force; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Insurance Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs is requested to provide administrative, reporting, and drafting support to the task force; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the health care task force is requested to submit the plan, including a report of its findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2017; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the health care task force is requested to cease to operate on December 31, 2017; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, the Director of Health, and the Director of Human Services.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:  

DCCA Health Care Task Force