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REPORT OF THE <br /> COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS <br /> DATE: January 23, 2008 Re: Comm. No. 932/Res. 491-08 <br /> <br /> PLACF,: Council Chambers <br /> Ben Franklin Bldg., 2"~ Floor <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> TIME: 9:35 a.m. <br /> Council Chair and Members <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> Your Committee on Public Works and Intergovernmental Relations, to which was referred <br /> Communication 932, regarding Resolution 49]-08, reports as follows: <br /> Resolution 491-08, transmitted by Council Member Bob Jacobson via Communication 932, <br /> dated January 9, 2008 urging our State Legislators to pass H.B. 1598 which would establish an <br /> agency to operate asingle-payer universal healthcare insurance system. As evidenced and <br /> introduced by Council Member Yoshimoto in Resolution 442-07 as adopted by the Council at its <br /> meeting on January 9, 2008 urging the United States Congress to pass H.R. 676 that would <br /> establish the United States National Health Insurance Act. <br /> There was no testimony from the public regarding this proposed resolution. <br /> Council Member Jacobson encouraged his colleagues to support this proposed resolution; he <br /> added as County legislators, we have great influence to help endorse National and State <br /> legislation. <br /> Your committee members discussed and offered their personal views on establishing an agency <br /> to operate asingle-payer universal healthcare insurance system. Seeking high quality and <br /> affordable healthcare and finding solutions to address the medical and uninsured crisis in the <br /> State of Hawaii is cause for some committee members to support this proposed resolution. <br /> Concerns were addressed by other committee members such as the attached copy of H.B. 1598 <br /> with no signatures and its unknown status, also the recent hiring of the Council's Legislative <br /> Liaison who should be advocating legislation for the council at the State level. Council Member <br /> Stacy Higa agreed that better healthcare is at issue, although he is not certain that universal <br /> healthcare is the answer. It was agreed among some committee members the resolution's <br /> purpose is to send the will of the council forward to the State Legislature and House <br /> representatives. <br /> <br />