STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3874

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 1579

       H.D. 2

       S.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1579, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to amend Act 212, Session Laws of Hawaii 2021, relating to the transfer of the Oahu Regional Health Care System from the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation to the Department of Health, to ensure that the intent of Act 212 is properly achieved.

 

     Specifically, this measure:

 

     (1)  Sets the proper manner by which the Oahu Regional Health Care System should seek operational funding during the pendency of the transition process;

 

     (2)  Extends the date by which the transfer is to be completed from December 31, 2022, to December 31, 2025;

 

     (3)  Requires the transition working group to submit an additional report to the Legislature prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2025;

 

     (4)  Clarifies the procedure for the working group to discuss matters concerning patient privacy and prospective bidders; and

 

     (5)  Appropriates moneys for the creation of a comprehensive business and transition plan.

 

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Oahu Region of the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation; University of Hawaii; and United Public Workers, AFSCME Local 646.

 

     Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance, Department of Health, and Hawaii Health Systems Corporation.

 

     Your Committee finds that, due to the complexity of the transition and the Department of Health's recent focus on other pressing issues, additional time is required to ensure that the transfer of the Oahu Regional Health Care System is properly effectuated.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Deleting the appropriation for the creation of a comprehensive business and transition plan; and

 

     (2)  Making the measure effective upon its approval.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1579, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1579, H.D. 2, S.D. 2.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

 

 

 

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair