STAND. COM. REP. NO. 380-06

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2006

RE: H.B. No. 2670

H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 2670, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to improve health care in Hawaii by establishing the Hawaii Health Authority (Authority) that:

(1) Is responsible for overall health planning in the state and for determining future capacity needs of health care providers, facilities, equipment, and support service providers; and

(2) Shall develop a comprehensive health plan that includes coverage for all individuals in the state and submit the plan to the Legislature.

The National Association of Social Workers, Hawaii Chapter, and several concerned individuals supported this bill. A concerned individual supported the bill with amendments. ILWU Local 142 supported the intent of this measure. The Department of Budget and Finance, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Kaiser Permanente, and the Hawaii Insurers Council opposed this measure. The Christian Science Committee on Publication-Hawaii submitted comments.

 

Your Committee notes that substantive concerns were raised regarding the disadvantages and problems associated with a single-payer, universal health care system. However, your Committee also recognizes that the lack of health care access for many of Hawaii's residents is a serious problem that concerns all of us. Therefore, your Committee has passed this measure to continue the discussion on this critical matter as this measure makes its way through the legislative process.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2670, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

 

____________________________

ROBERT N. HERKES, Chair