STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1287

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.C.R. No. 148

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, Human Services, & Homelessness, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 148 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO EXPLORE WAYS IT CAN EXERCISE OVERSIGHT OVER COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS AND OTHER MEDICAL SERVICE ENTITIES WHEN A DANGER TO THE COMMUNITY'S HEALTH EXISTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Health to explore ways it can exercise oversight over community health centers, dental clinics, and other medical service entities when a danger to the community's health exists.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health and nine individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Ho‘ōla Lāhui Hawai‘i and Molokai Ohana Health Care, Inc. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawai‘i Primary Care Association.

Your Committee finds that community health centers provide critical health care services in federally recognized areas where residents face barriers to obtaining health care. Your Committee further finds that the Department of Health should explore additional options to ensure there is proper oversight of community health centers or other medical service entities, so that the Department can adequately respond when incidents, such as closures due to lack of staffing at community health centers, result in a danger to the public health.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health, Human Services, & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 148 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health, Human Services, & Homelessness,

____________________________

RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair