STAND. COM. REP. NO. 851-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 1579

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1579, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Set the proper manner by which the Oahu Regional Health Care System should seek operational funding during the transition process of its facilities from the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation to the Department of Health;

(2) Extend the date by which the transfer is to be completed from December 31, 2022, to December 31, 2023;

(3) Require the transition working group to submit an additional report to the Legislature prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2023;

(4) Clarify the procedure for the working group to discuss matters concerning patient privacy and prospective bidders; and

(5) Appropriate funds for the creation of a comprehensive business plan and transfer framework.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the United Public Workers, AFSCME Local 646, AFL-CIO; and Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health, Department of Budget and Finance, University of Hawai‘i System, Office of Information Practices, Hawaii Health Systems Corporation Corporate Board of Directors, and Oahu Region of the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1579, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair