STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1613

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.C.R. No. 129

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 129 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS TO INCREASE COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING RATES IN THE STATE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to improve the detection and early treatment of colorectal cancer by requesting the Department of Health to convene a working group to develop recommendations to increase colorectal cancer screening rates.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health; University of Hawai‘i Cancer Center; Hawaii Primary Care Association; American Cancer Society, Cancer Action Network; and fifteen individuals.

     Your Committee finds that increased colorectal cancer screening can save many lives in Hawaii.  Nationwide, states and organizations are committing to the "80% by 2018" initiative, which is an effort to eliminate colorectal cancer as a major public health problem by getting eighty percent of adults aged fifty and older screened for colorectal cancer by 2018.  Your Committee notes that early detection is critical because survival rates for localized disease are ninety percent, yet between 2009 and 2013 fifty percent of colorectal cancer cases in Hawaii were diagnosed at late stages.  Your Committee further finds that colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in Hawaii, and the mortality rate is highest for Native Hawaiians.

     Your Committee additionally finds that colorectal cancer is a cause of considerable suffering among more than one hundred forty thousand adults in the country diagnosed with this cancer each year.  In Hawaii, approximately six hundred sixty residents are diagnosed with colorectal cancer each year, and an average of two hundred forty residents die from the disease each year.  Your Committee emphasizes that a priority of the Hawaii State Cancer Plan is to increase colorectal screening rates and reduce morbidity and mortality of colorectal cancer through screening and early detection.  Your Committee finds that there is work to be done to increase colorectal cancer screening rates in an effort to lessen the physical, emotional, and financial burden that often accompany a cancer diagnosis.  Your Committee notes that there are many community partners committed to working together to improve colorectal cancer screenings in Hawaii.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 129, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

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ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair