STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1412

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 141

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.R. No. 141 entitled:

"SENATE 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 and intent of this measure is to request the Department of Health to conduct a study that explores options for the Department to provide better oversight of community health centers, dental clinics, and other medical service entities.

Your Committee did not receive any testimony on this measure.

Your Committee finds that community health centers, also known as federally qualified health centers, are the cornerstone of the State's health care system and provide essential services to the most vulnerable populations. Recently, community health centers and other medical service entities have experienced disturbing incidents, including the closure of the only community health center on the island of Molokai and the death of a child at a Kailua dental practice. This measure requests the Department of Health to explore ways to provide better oversight of community health centers, dental clinics, and other medical service entities.

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 S.R. No. 141 and recommends its adoption.

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

________________________________

JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair