HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1616

TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

S.D. 1

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO HEALTH PLANNING.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the World Health Organization, the United States Department of Health and Human Services's Healthy People 2020 Initiative, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention all recognize social determinants of health as the single most important factor in individual and population health outcomes, more so than genetic disposition or medical care.  The legislature further finds that the Hawaii State Planning Act does not explicitly recognize social determinants of health as an important component of health planning.

     The legislature also notes that the October 2013 report, "Assessment and Priorities for Health & Well-Being in Native Hawaiians & Other Pacific Peoples," by the John A. Burns school of medicine, identifies a number of social and other determinants of health for Native Hawaiians, other Pacific Islanders, and Filipinos, who collectively continue to have disparate health outcomes compared to the rest of the state population.  The legislature finds that in recognition of the special responsibilities and legal obligations to the indigenous people of Hawaii, the federal government codified a commitment to addressing the health status of Native Hawaiians and providing Native Hawaiian health care programs with necessary resources in title 42 United States Code section 11702.  The legislature further finds that the State has not made a similar commitment.

     The legislature finds that codifying a commitment to reducing health disparities for Native Hawaiian and other groups through a social determinants of health approach may directly and indirectly improve health outcomes and the quality of life for all residents of the State.

     The purpose of this Act is to update the Hawaii State Planning Act's objectives for health to include a dual commitment to addressing Native Hawaiian health and eliminating health disparities.

     SECTION 2.  Section 226-20, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§226-20  Objectives and policies for socio-cultural advancement--health.  (a)  Planning for the State's socio-cultural advancement with regard to health shall be directed towards achievement of the following objectives:

     (1)  Fulfillment of basic individual health needs of the general public.

     (2)  Maintenance of sanitary and environmentally healthful conditions in Hawaii's communities.

     (3)  Elimination of health disparities by identifying and addressing social determinants of health.

     (b)  To achieve the health objectives, it shall be the policy of this State to:

     (1)  Provide adequate and accessible services and facilities for prevention and treatment of physical and mental health problems, including substance abuse.

     (2)  Encourage improved cooperation among public and private sectors in the provision of health care to accommodate the total health needs of individuals throughout the State.

     (3)  Encourage public and private efforts to develop and promote statewide and local strategies to reduce health care and related insurance costs.

     (4)  Foster an awareness of the need for personal health maintenance and preventive health care through education and other measures.

     (5)  Provide programs, services, and activities that ensure environmentally healthful and sanitary conditions.

     (6)  Improve the State's capabilities in preventing contamination by pesticides and other potentially hazardous substances through increased coordination, education, monitoring, and enforcement.

     (7)  Prioritize programs, services, interventions, and activities that address identified social determinants of health to improve Native Hawaiian health and well-being consistent with the United States Congress's declaration of policy as codified in title 42 United States Code section 11702, and to reduce health disparities of disproportionately affected demographics, including Native Hawaiians, other Pacific Islanders, and Filipinos.  The prioritization of affected demographic groups other than Native Hawaiians may be reviewed every ten years and revised based on the best available epidemiological and public health data."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.


 


 

Report Title:

OHA Package; State Planning Act; Health Disparities

 

Description:

Adds to the Hawaii State Planning Act's objectives and policies for health, the identification of social determinants of health and prioritization of programs, services, interventions, and activities that address identified social determinants of health to improve Native Hawaiian health in accordance with federal law and reduce health disparities of disproportionately affected demographics.  (SD1)

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.