Bill > SCR142

This Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Health to establish a working group, with help from Kkua Mau (Hawaii's hospice and palliative care organization) and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, to study existing palliative care services in the state and propose ways to make them more widely available. Palliative care is a specialized approach focused on improving the quality of life for individuals and their families dealing with serious illnesses by managing symptoms like pain and nausea, and addressing physical, emotional, and spiritual distress. The working group is also tasked with collaborating with various groups, including healthcare providers, insurers, and patient advocates, to assess the current state of palliative care, identify service gaps, explore funding options, develop a plan for ongoing data collection and quality improvement, and create strategies to educate the public about palliative and hospice care. The group is required to submit a report with its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2019, and may continue to meet annually thereafter.