STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1033

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 589

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 589, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO STROKE CARE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Department of Health to establish a stroke coalition and a stroke database.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health; Hawai‘i Pacific Health; Healthcare Association of Hawaii; Rehabilitation Hospital of the Pacific; Hawaii Stroke Coalition; The Queen's Health Systems; Hawaii Neurological Society; American Heart Association; National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, Hawaii State Federation of Chapters; and four individuals.

     Your Committee finds that the rapid identification, diagnosis, and treatment of strokes can save the lives of stroke patients and, in some cases, can reverse neurological damage such as speech and language impairments or paralysis, leaving stroke patients with few or no neurological deficits.  Despite significant advances in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, stroke is a leading cause of death nationally and in Hawaii.

     Your Committee further finds that although treatments are available to improve the clinical outcomes of stroke, acute care hospitals need sufficient trained staff and equipment to optimally triage and treat stroke patients.  A system is needed in our communities to ensure the provision of optimal, safe, and effective emergency care in a timely manner to improve the overall treatment of stroke patients in order to increase survival and decrease incidents of disabilities associated with stroke.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Inserting findings recommending that the system of care for treatment of stroke patients should include input and advice from national subject matter organizations;

     (2)  Adding a definition for "stroke database";

     (3)  Clarifying that the Department of Health shall participate in a systematic process to evaluate, improve, and sustain stroke care throughout the State;

     (4)  Specifying the elements of the stroke system of care to include a requirement that hospitals meet specific stroke patient treatment capabilities, coordination with the State's emergency medical services system, and continuation of a statewide stroke coalition;

     (5)  Inserting language that specifies the Department of Health's role in participating in the stroke coalition;

     (6)  Deleting language that required the Department of Health to convene a stroke coalition, specified the duties of the stroke coalition, and required the Department to establish a stroke database;

     (7)  Inserting language to require all acute care hospitals that receive stroke patients from emergency medical services to report data consistent with requirements of the stroke database on the treatment of all individuals with a suspected or confirmed stroke;

     (8)  Inserting language to require the Department of Health to participate in a stroke database that compiles information on stroke care for the evaluation of stroke care in the State;

     (9)  Specifying that the Department of Health and stroke coalition shall not disclose confidential information or data;

    (10)  Amending the effective date to upon approval; and

    (11)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     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 H.B. No. 589, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 589, H.D. 1, 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, Chair