Report Title:

Cancer Detection; Appropriation

Description:

Adds language to Act 174, Session Laws of Hawaii 2003; appropriates funds pursuant to Act 174 to advance the development toward early detection and treatment of skin cancer.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2875

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

RELATING TO TECHNOLOGY.

 

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

PART I

SECTION 1. Act 174, Session Laws of Hawaii 2003, is amended by amending section 1 to read as follows:

"SECTION 1. The legislature finds that subsequent to the establishment of the Hawaii tobacco settlement special fund in 1999, and various amendments to the cigarette and tobacco tax law codified in chapter 245, Hawaii Revised Statutes, much has been done to further cancer prevention in Hawaii. However, we must increase its efforts in the area of early cancer detection and possible cures for skin and other types of cancer through the work of the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii and other private initiatives located in the State.

The legislature finds that the high technology sector of our economy has spawned many exciting enterprises that are involved in medical research and development. One such initiative is working toward securing approval from the federal Food and Drug Administration for a non-invasive method of detecting skin and cervical cancers utilizing hyper-spectral diagnostic imaging. This technology reportedly detects cervical cancer by capturing the unique color fingerprint of different types of cells. Pre-cancerous and cancer cells have a larger blood flow than normal tissue and thus appear as different colors. The technology can distinguish nearly three hundred separate colors compared to the red, blue, and green recorded by ordinary cameras and can create a photograph of the cervix with detail not seen through a microscope. This technology was developed in Hawaii and should be encouraged with the support of state and federal funding.

The State of Hawaii is recognized worldwide as one of the most desired destinations to visit, and the image of sun and surf is synonymous with Hawaii. Our tourism industry depends on visitors enjoying a safe, healthy vacation. The correlation between sun exposure and skin cancer incidence is high. Skin cancer is especially prevalent in Hawaii, with Kauai leading the nation in per capita incidence of basal cell carcinoma. Kauai was documented as having the highest incidence rate of basal cell carcinoma in the United States. The early development of revolutionary technology to diagnose and treat skin cancer, in a non-invasive manner, is occurring right here in Hawaii. With the dangers posed by exposure to the sun for residents and visitors alike, there is no better place to encourage and provide funding support for the continued development of an early non-invasive diagnosis and treatment for this disease, which sometimes is a precursor of more serious ailments to follow. Early diagnosis leads to early treatment, which always improves one's chances of surviving cancer. Hawaii also has a quality network of health care centers and a state hospital system that can assist in the clinical research, and which are and should continue to be partnering with the private sector to find a cure for the various forms of cancer. The further development of an early diagnosis and treatment for forms of cancer could provide a new niche market for our visitor industry and health facilities; as such it should be encouraged with funding and partnership with the State's health resources.

The legislature further finds that it is in the interest of the public health and welfare, as well as in the interest of the State's economy, to support Hawaii-based companies that can contribute to the health and well being of all, including the State's residents.

The purpose of this Act is to establish a revolving fund to support Hawaii-based development of healthcare and biomedical technology to detect and treat cancer in its early stages."

PART II

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $2,000,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2004-2005, for the cancer detection development revolving fund.

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this part.

SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2004.

INTRODUCED BY:

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