HI SCR139

Requests convening of a Preterm Birth Task Force to develop best practices for reducing elective cesarean sections and labor inductions, administratively attached to the Department of Health and collaborating with the Department of Human Services, John A. Burns School of Medicine, and health plan providers.

Task Force shall review hospital licensure laws, determine if hospitals should be required to adopt standardized policies conforming to American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists or Institute for Healthcare Improvement guidelines, and maintain best practices training materials.

Task Force directed to establish a learning collaboration for healthcare practitioners, develop a public awareness campaign about risks of elective preterm procedures, and track data on preterm birth rates and infant morbidity and mortality in Hawaii.

Task Force composition includes representatives from the Department of Health Family Health Services Division, Department of Human Services Med-QUEST Division, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, March of Dimes Hawaii Chapter, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition, and three physicians specializing in obstetrics, gynecology, and pediatrics.

Department of Health must submit report to Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the 2012 Regular Session with Task Force findings and recommendations, at which time the Task Force shall cease to exist.