STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1557

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.R. No. 222

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.R. No. 222 entitled:

"HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING THE HAWAII CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO SEEK AMENDMENTS TO THE MEDICARE PAYMENT SYSTEM TO INCREASE REIMBURSEMENTS TO HAWAII'S HOSPITALS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this resolution is to improve essential health services and the ailing health care system in Hawaii by urging  Hawaii's Congressional delegation to seek amendments to the Medicare payment system to increase reimbursements to Hawaii's hospitals.

     The Department of Human Services and the Hawaii government Employees Association supported this measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 222 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

JOSHUA B. GREEN, M.D., Chair