STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1431

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: S.B. No. 759

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health & Homelessness, to which was referred S.B. No. 759, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Require the Office of Primary Care and Rural Health to oversee and support community efforts to address health and wellness needs in rural and underserved areas and develop plans that align with appropriate providers' goals and objectives;

(2) Require the Office of Primary Care and Rural Health to provide a one-time summary of community plans as part of the Primary Health Care Incentive Program annual report to the Legislature prior to the Regular Session of 2024; and

(3) Appropriate funds for the development of community plans, including the establishment of one position.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Hawaii State Youth Commission, HOPE Services Hawai‘i, and two individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from seventeen individuals.

Your Committee finds that access and delays in health care delivery are the greatest obstacle to care for the State's rural residents. Your Committee further finds that coordinated efforts are necessary at all levels to examine social determinants that impact a community's access to health care resources and improve public health. This measure seeks to ensure health equity by developing and coordinating comprehensive plans to align health care priorities with existing resources.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 759, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 759, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

DELLA AU BELATTI, Chair