HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PWIRC 051 01/23/2008 2006-2008 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
DATE: January 23, 2008 Re: Comm. No. 932/Res. 491-08
PLACF,: Council Chambers
Ben Franklin Bldg., 2"~ Floor
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
TIME: 9:35 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Public Works and Intergovernmental Relations, to which was referred
Communication 932, regarding Resolution 49]-08, reports as follows:
Resolution 491-08, transmitted by Council Member Bob Jacobson via Communication 932,
dated January 9, 2008 urging our State Legislators to pass H.B. 1598 which would establish an
agency to operate asingle-payer universal healthcare insurance system. As evidenced and
introduced by Council Member Yoshimoto in Resolution 442-07 as adopted by the Council at its
meeting on January 9, 2008 urging the United States Congress to pass H.R. 676 that would
establish the United States National Health Insurance Act.
There was no testimony from the public regarding this proposed resolution.
Council Member Jacobson encouraged his colleagues to support this proposed resolution; he
added as County legislators, we have great influence to help endorse National and State
legislation.
Your committee members discussed and offered their personal views on establishing an agency
to operate asingle-payer universal healthcare insurance system. Seeking high quality and
affordable healthcare and finding solutions to address the medical and uninsured crisis in the
State of Hawaii is cause for some committee members to support this proposed resolution.
Concerns were addressed by other committee members such as the attached copy of H.B. 1598
with no signatures and its unknown status, also the recent hiring of the Council's Legislative
Liaison who should be advocating legislation for the council at the State level. Council Member
Stacy Higa agreed that better healthcare is at issue, although he is not certain that universal
healthcare is the answer. It was agreed among some committee members the resolution's
purpose is to send the will of the council forward to the State Legislature and House
representatives.
Page 2 Comm. 932/ Res. 491-08
Your Committee on Public Works and Intergovernmental Relations is in accord with the purpose
and intent of Resolution 491-08, and recommends its adoption.
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AYES NOES A&E EX Respectfully submitted,
FORD X
HIGA X COMMITTCE ON PUBLIC WORKS AND
HOFFMANN X INTERGOVERNMENTAL. RELATIONS
IKEDA X ~ C;~
JACOBSON X
NAEOLE X BRENDA J. FORD, CHAIR
PILAGO X
YAGONG X PWIRCREYORTNO.51
YOSHIMOTO X ADOPTED: FEB. O F _7ft~R