Bill Text: HI HB2429 | 2022 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating To The Office Of Health Equity.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 18-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2022-02-08 - The committee(s) on HHH recommend(s) that the measure be deferred. [HB2429 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2022-HB2429-Introduced.html

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2429
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to the office of health equity.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that health outcomes and well-being are not equal across Hawaii.  Life expectancy is used internationally as a standard summary measure of population health and Hawaii is nationally ranked as having the highest life expectancy amongst the states.  Life expectancy rates however, in Hawaii vary as much as 14.4 years when calculated by ZIP Code Tabulation Areas.  The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has had a devasting effect on communities already experiencing disparities in health and life expectancy.  In the United States, COVID-19 became the third leading cause of death, and life expectancy from 2018 to 2020 is estimated to have decreased by 1.87 years.  The decrease in life expectancy was experienced by the most marginalized populations, with Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black people experiencing decreases three times greater than the non-Hispanic White population.

     While state life expectancy rates have not been calculated, in Hawaii, COVID-19 risks exacerbated conditions for people with existing health disparities and economic disadvantages.  Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, and Filipinos were at higher risk of COVID-19 exposure based on over-representation in the essential workforce, large households, and preexisting higher rates of chronic disease and smoking.  From March 8, 2020, to January 31, 2021, it is estimated that Pacific Islanders represented twenty-four per cent of all COVID-19 cases, despite representing only four per cent of the State's overall population.

     The legislature further finds that the State's department of health has a duty to advance health equity.  Chapter 321, Hawaii Revised Statutes, describing the general powers and duties of the agency, was amended by Act 157, Session Laws of Hawaii 2014.  Chapter 321-l(a) states, "[t]he department of health shall have general charge, oversight, and care of the health and lives of the people of the State, and shall pursue as a goal, the achievement of health equity.  The department shall consider social determinants of health in the assessment of state needs for health."  Health equity is defined as, "assuring equal opportunity for all people in the State to attain their full health potential," and the social determinants of health defined as, "the complex, integrated, and overlapping social structures and economic systems that contribute to health inequities.  These social structures and economic systems include the social environment, physical environment, health services, and structural and societal factors."

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Establish an office of health equity within the department of health;

     (2)  Provide positions for the office of health equity; and

     (3)  Authorize the creation of office of health equity external advisory groups.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 321, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§321-    Office of Health Equity.  (a)  There is established within the department of health an office of health equity.  The purpose of the office of health equity shall be to advance health equity by serving as catalysts for change to improve the social determinants of health that affect a wide range of health, functioning, quality of life opportunities and outcomes.  The advancement of health equity shall include the following higher level activities by collaborating with multi-sector partners:

     (1)  Assess and monitor population health and identify significant health disparities;

     (2)  Identify and engage stakeholders on policies, systems, and environmental improvements to eliminate inequities;

     (3)  Evaluate and monitor efforts using short- and long-term measures; and

     (4)  Reassess strategies with stakeholders.

     (b)  The goals of the office of health equity shall include:

     (1)  Establishing a public health framework based on addressing the social determinants of health;

     (2)  Establishing data standards and practices to support the advancement of health equity;

     (3)  Building capacity internally within the department and externally with stakeholders for assessing, and advancing policies, systems, and environmental change to improve population health; and

     (4)  Supporting and developing an inclusive and diverse workforce in the department.

     (c)  The office of health equity shall also appoint and convene advisory groups at the discretion of the director of health that may include a:

     (1)  Policy advisory group to deliberate, develop, and support the adoption and implementation of policies, systems, and environmental change improvements, and to comprise no more than eighteen individuals from three major areas:

          (A)  Leaders from organizations representing the social determinants of health and committed to addressing health disparities;

          (B)  Persons with specialized knowledge, training, and skills in advancing health equity; and

          (C)  Community-based organizations of people experiencing health inequities; and

     (2)  Community network advisory group to identify community needs and barriers to health and well-being, and recommend solutions across the domains in the social determinants of health: economic stability; education access and quality; health care access and quality; neighborhood and built environment; and social and community context.  The participants shall include representatives of organizations and representing populations disproportionately impacted by health disparities and inequities."

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2022-2023 to carry out the purposes of this Act, including the establishment, hiring, and filling of positions and contractors to carry out the purposes set forth in section 2 of this Act.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2022.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Health Equity; Department of Health; Appropriation

 

Description:

Establishes the Office of Health Equity within the Department of Health.  Appropriates funds.  

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.