Report Title:

Cancer Detection and Treatment; Appropriation

Description:

Provides that the Cancer Detection Development Revolving Fund (Fund) also be used for cancer treatment. Transfers administration of the Fund to the Department of Health. Appropriates funds. (HB2875 HD1)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2875

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

RELATING TO TECHNOLOGY.

 

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

SECTION 1. 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 noninvasive 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 noninvasive 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 the various forms of cancer could provide a new niche market for our visitor industry and health facilities, which should be encouraged with funding and partnership with the State's health resources.

The purpose of this Act is to clarify that the purpose of the cancer detection development revolving fund is to assist medical and biomedical enterprises to detect and treat cancer in its early stages.

SECTION 2. Section 211F-5.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending its title and subsection (a) to read as follows:

"[[]§211F-5.5[]] Cancer detection and treatment development revolving fund; establishment. (a) There is established the cancer detection and treatment development revolving fund to be administered by the [Hawaii strategic development corporation] department of health to assist enterprises that develop healthcare and biomedical technology to detect and treat cancer, including cervical cancer, in its early stages."

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2004-2005 for the cancer detection and treatment development revolving fund.

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

SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

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