STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2753

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2597

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2597, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LOAN REPAYMENT FOR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate moneys to the Department of Health to fund the Hawaii State Loan Repayment Program.

More specifically, the measure appropriates moneys to provide student loan repayment for physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, psychiatric nurse specialists, licensed professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, registered nurses, and certified alcohol and substance abuse counselors who agree to work in a federally-designated health professional shortage area.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Health, University of Hawaii, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Hawaii Medical Association, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Hawaii American Nurses Association, Hawaii State Center for Nursing, Hawaii Pacific Health, Hawaii Psychiatric Medical Association, Queen's Health Systems, and eight individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that the loan repayment program funded by this measure will help to address the State's severe shortage of health care professionals, especially in rural areas. Your Committee recognizes that health care professionals who have benefitted from the program currently serve on all islands and in the communities of Waimea, Kihei, Waianae, Hilo, and Wailuku; at health clinics in Kalihi-Palama and Kokua Kalihi Valley; and in public institutional settings at the federal detention center in Honolulu, the Halawa correctional facility, and the Maui County correctional center.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2597, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair