STAND. COM. REP. NO. 352-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1575

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 1575 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ACCESS TO MOVEMENT DISORDER CARE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a temporary Parkinson's Patient Air Transport Feasibility Committee to examine mechanisms for improving access to movement disorder care for residents on the neighbor islands who suffer from Parkinson's disease, including the feasibility of a state-administered air transport assistance fund.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Disability Rights Center; The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research; Hawaii Parkinson Association; and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

Your Committee finds that access to specialized care for individuals living with Parkinson's disease and related movement disorders is limited in Hawaii. Your Committee further finds that the only designated movement disorder center in the State is located on Oahu, which requires individuals with Parkinson's disease and related movement disorders who live on the neighbor islands to travel long distances to receive vital treatment. This process is costly and becomes increasingly difficult as Parkinson's disease progresses, as it often leads to greater mobility challenges. Your Committee believes that examining mechanisms to reduce barriers to health care services for neighbor island residents with Parkinson's disease is necessary to ensure all Hawaii residents have equitable access to health care.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the appropriation to an unspecified amount;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

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

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of $100,000.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1575, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1575, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

GREGG TAKAYAMA, Chair