THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	229
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING THE hawaii health systems corporation TO convene a task force to develop better mission-driven hiring and training of interpreters employed at its facilities.

 

 

        WHEREAS, the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation (HHSC) provides high quality health care services to residents and visitors throughout the State and serves as a vital component of Hawai   i's system of health care; and

 

        WHEREAS, HHSC consists of a network of hospitals and clinics, some of which are located in remote, rural, and low-populated areas; and

 

        WHEREAS, HHSC facilities provide safety-net services for neighbor island acute care and for long-term care in the State as they serve all people, regardless of whether an individual has health insurance or the ability to pay for the health care service they receive; and

 

        WHEREAS, HHSC's mission is to provide accessible, high quality, cost-effective services that address the health care needs of Hawai   i's unique island communities; and

 

        WHEREAS, HHSC's vision is to be recognized as a progressive model for an accessible, integrated, patient-centered, and fiscally responsible health care system focused on assuring high quality care to improve the health of Hawai   i's underserved communities; and

 

        WHEREAS, HHSC facilities comply with applicable federal, state, and local civil rights laws and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, or marital status; and

 

        WHEREAS, the unique island populations served by the HHSC speak a wide range of languages in their homes other than English, including but not limited to Burmese, Cambodian, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Chuukese, Hawaiian, Ilocano, Japanese, Korean, Kosraean, Lao, Marshallese, Pohnpeian, Samoan, Spanish, Tagalog, Thai, Tongan, and Vietnamese; and

 

        WHEREAS, members of Hawai   i's unique non-English speaking populations are often reluctant and intimidated to seek medical care due to the lack of properly trained interpreters in HHSC medical facilities who are able to assist those seeking medical care because of language and cultural barriers; now, therefore,

 

        BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2021, the House of Representatives concurring, that the HHSC is requested to convene a task force to facilitate improved, mission-driven hiring and training of culturally-accepted interpreters to assist non-English speaking populations seeking care at HHSC facilities; and

 

        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that it is urged that the task force include the following as members:

 

        (1)   The Chief Executive Officer of the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, to serve as chairperson;

 

        (2)   The Director of Health, or the Director's designee;

 

        (3)   One representative from the Office of Language Access;

 

        (4)   Two members of the Senate, to be appointed by the President of the Senate;

 

        (5)   Two members of the House of Representatives, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

 

        (6)   Two members of the language interpreters and translator community; and

 

        (7)   Two community health workers; and

 

        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force, with the assistance of the HHSC, is requested to submit a written report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2023; and

 

        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be dissolved on June 30, 2024; and

 

        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Director of Health, Chief Executive Officer of the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, and Executive Director of the Office of Language Access.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:  

Hawaii Health Systems Corp.; Training Interpreters; Task Force