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HI HR191
Resolution
Status
3/9/2018
Primary Sponsor
Richard Creagan
Click for details
AI Summary
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Requests the Department of Health prioritize appointing physicians licensed to practice medicine as district health officers for each district.
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Notes that the County of Hawaii district health officer position was filled by a non-physician for six years, leading the Department to create a new "district health officer II (non-M.D.)" position.
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Compares the Department's response to disease outbreaks in Maui County (with physician district health officer) versus Hawaii County (with non-physician), finding more effective disease control and community engagement in Maui for dengue fever (2002 vs. 2004) and rat lungworm outbreaks.
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References an Office of the Auditor report (No. 17-14, December 2017) that found the Disease Outbreak Control Division lacked adherence to plans, policies, and protocols during outbreak responses.
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Requests the Department of Health Director and Hawaii County Council Chairperson receive copies of the resolution.
Legislative Description
Requesting The Department Of Health To Prioritize Having Each Of Its District Health Officers Be A Physician Licensed To Practice Medicine Under Part I Of Chapter 453, Hawaii Revised Statutes.
Department of Health
Last Action
Report adopted. referred to the committee(s) on FIN as amended in HD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Souki excused (1).
3/28/2018