HI HR10

Requests the Department of Health to establish a state health initiative to reduce occurrences of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Hawaii

Notes that COPD is the third leading cause of death in the United States, killing over 120,000 persons annually and costing the federal government approximately $50 billion in direct and indirect expenses in 2010

Identifies that 24 million persons have been diagnosed with COPD and up to 500,000 additional persons have the disease but remain undiagnosed; early screening is critical as most patients are not diagnosed until they have already lost half of their lung function

Emphasizes that COPD kills more women than men annually, and in 2006 killed more women than breast cancer, Alzheimer's, and diabetes combined

Directs the Department of Health to develop an action plan for COPD education, awareness, early diagnosis, and testing, including chronic disease initiatives and advocacy for transitional care programs and third-party reimbursements to reduce state and federal healthcare costs