STAND. COM. REP. 1228

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: H.C.R. No. 70

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 70 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING A MANAGEMENT AUDIT OF THE DENTAL HEALTH DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to request the Auditor to perform a management audit of the Dental Health Division of the Department of Health (DOH).

Many individuals testified in support of this measure. DOH opposed this measure.

Your Committee finds that tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease and that dental disease can threaten a child's health, well-being, and achievement, as children with oral health problems can have difficulty eating, sleeping, and paying attention in school.

In recent years, funds were appropriated to DOH but were not expended for the intended purposes of providing dental health services to Hawaii's residents. Furthermore, the Dental Health Division has not fully addressed even the basic dental needs of the underserved and rural populations. A management audit is needed to determine why this has happened and how to rectify it in the future using existing resources.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 70 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.

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

 

____________________________

DENNIS A. ARAKAKI, Chair