Bill Text: HI SB759 | 2023 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To Health.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 8-1)
Status: (Passed) 2023-06-22 - Act 104, 06/22/2023 (Gov. Msg. No. 1205). [SB759 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2023-SB759-Amended.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
759 |
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THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023 |
S.D. 2 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO HEALTH.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
The legislature further finds that the department of health's office of primary care and rural health, in partnership with community organizations such as Community First, conducted a community health needs assessment for Hawaii island titled "Access to Care -- Health for Our Communities". The assessment analyzes 3,287 resident survey responses and identifies delays in health care delivery as residents' greatest obstacle to care. Nearly six in ten respondents report delays, often due to the limited availability of specialists.
The legislature further finds that larger societal concerns, including affordable housing, the State's high cost of living, transportation difficulties, and child care challenges are barriers to care that disproportionately affect residents of underserved rural areas. To ensure health equity, the State must look beyond the symptoms of social determinants of health to address the root causes of negative health outcomes that disproportionately affect rural communities, low-income communities, communities of color, and sexual and gender minorities.
The legislature further finds that coordinated efforts at all levels are necessary to examine social determinants that impact a community's access to health care resources and to improve public health. The establishment of a strong health network in underserved areas would allow these areas to efficiently develop health care plans that encompass preventative and primary health care, specialty care, and urgent and emergency care. Comprehensive plans to align health care priorities with existing resources will foster collaboration between providers, avoid service duplication, and streamline care delivery for the State's most vulnerable residents.
The purpose of this Act is to:
(1) Require the office of primary care and rural health to oversee and support community efforts to collaboratively address the health and wellness needs of the State's most underserved rural residents and facilitate discussions between key community health and social service organizations to develop plans to address community needs highlighted by the Access to Care (ATC) needs assessment; and
(2) Appropriate funds for one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) program specialist IV position within the department of health's family health services division.
SECTION 2. (a) The office of primary care and rural health shall oversee and support community efforts to collaboratively address the health and wellness needs of the State's most underserved rural residents and facilitate discussions between key community health and social service organizations to develop plans that align with appropriate providers' goals and objectives.
(b)
The office of primary care and rural health shall include a one-time
summary of community plans addressing the (Access to Care) ATC needs assessment
with the report that is to be submitted to the legislature prior to the regular
session of 2024, pursuant to section 321-1.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes.
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2023-2024 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the establishment of one permanent full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) program specialist IV position within the department of health's family health services division to:
(1) Oversee the development of community plans; and
(2) Coordinate efforts across departments and nonprofit community partners to address the social determinants of health and health equity issues affecting underserved rural areas statewide;
provided that the funds shall support travel and activities necessary for the development of the community plans.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.
Report Title:
Office of Primary Care and Rural Health; Rural Residents; Family Health Services Division; Department of Health; Positions; Report; Appropriations
Description:
Requires the Office of Primary Care and Rural Health to oversee and support community efforts to collaboratively address the health and wellness needs of the State's most underserved rural residents to develop plans that align with appropriate providers' goals and objectives. Requires the Office of Primary Care and Rural Health to include a one-time summary of community plans with the report that is to be submitted to the legislature prior to the regular session of 2024, pursuant to section 321‑1.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes. Appropriates funds for the establishment of one permanent full-time equivalent program specialist IV position within the Department of Health's Family Health Services Division. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
