Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

Hawaii Senate Bill SCR127

Introduced
3/11/22  

Caption

Urging The Department Of Health To Employ The Team 6b Contact Tracing Team As Permanent Staff And Hire Other Members From The Native Hawaiian And Pacific Islander Communities In An Effort To Address The Health Inequities That Exist And Create Better Access To Culturally Relevant Programs For Native Hawaiians And Pacific Islanders.

Impact

The bill highlights the successful efforts of Team 6B in mitigating COVID-19's impact through culturally appropriate outreach and engagement in native languages. By employing community members from these groups, the Department of Health has not only managed to drop COVID-19 case numbers within these communities but has also facilitated better data collection and disaggregation, thereby improving the understanding of health disparities. The resolution calls for ongoing diverse hiring practices to enhance health program accessibility and effectiveness.

Summary

Senate Concurrent Resolution 127 (SCR127) urges the Hawaii Department of Health to make the Team 6B contact tracing team a permanent part of its staff and to hire additional personnel from the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities. This initiative is aimed at addressing the significant health inequities that these groups face, particularly in light of the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on them. The resolution recognizes that Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders represent approximately 21% of the state’s population yet accounted for over 50% of COVID-19 cases in 2020 and around 30% in subsequent years.

Contention

While the resolution aims to strengthen health services for underserved communities, it may face challenges such as securing funding for permanent positions and overcoming potential bureaucratic inertia. Additionally, there may be debates surrounding the implementation of diverse hiring practices within the Department of Health, as systemic biases could hinder the full realization of the resolution's goals. Nonetheless, the collective intent remains focused on creating more equitable health outcomes for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations.

Companion Bills

HI HCR89

Same As Urging The Department Of Health To Employ The Team 6b Contact Tracing Team As Permanent Staff And Hire Other Members From The Native Hawaiian And Pacific Islander Communities In An Effort To Address The Health Inequities That Exist And Create Better Access To Culturally Relevant Programs For Native Hawaiians And Pacific Islanders.

HI SR112

Same As Urging The Department Of Health To Employ The Team 6b Contact Tracing Team As Permanent Staff And Hire Other Members From The Native Hawaiian And Pacific Islander Communities In An Effort To Address The Health Inequities That Exist And Create Better Access To Culturally Relevant Programs For Native Hawaiians And Pacific Islanders.

Previously Filed As

HI HCR32

Requesting The Office Of Hawaiian Affairs To Identify The Scope Of Native Hawaiian Cultural Appropriateness For The Purpose Of Addressing Native Hawaiian Disparities.

HI HR21

Requesting The Office Of Hawaiian Affairs To Identify The Scope Of Native Hawaiian Cultural Appropriateness For The Purpose Of Addressing Native Hawaiian Disparities.

HI HB570

Relating To Native Hawaiian Health.

HI SCR68

Requesting Businesses In Hawaii To Use Hawaiian Language And Requesting The Department Of Education To Develop And Implement Education Programs To Teach Employees Hawaiian And Hire Permanent Hawaiian Language Teachers.

HI SR56

Requesting Businesses In Hawaii To Use Hawaiian Language And Requesting The Department Of Education To Develop And Implement Education Programs To Teach Employees Hawaiian And Hire Permanent Hawaiian Language Teachers.

HI SCR166

Urging Pertinent State Agencies To Commit To Providing Culturally Appropriate Resources, Services, And Programs For Native Hawaiian Individuals With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities And Their Families And Care Providers.

HI SCR67

Urging The Legislature To Preserve, Protect, And Restore Native Hawaiian Limu.

HI HCR33

Urging The Governor And Pertinent State Agencies To Commit To Provide Culturally Appropriate Resources, Services, And Programs For Native Hawaiian Individuals And Families Experiencing Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities.

HI HR22

Urging The Governor And Pertinent State Agencies To Commit To Provide Culturally Appropriate Resources, Services, And Programs For Native Hawaiian Individuals And Families Experiencing Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities.

HI SCR81

Urging The Governor To Ensure That Relevant State Agencies, Including The Department Of Health And Department Of Human Services, Collaborate To Explore Avenues To Ensure Continued Access To Affordable Medications For The State's Underserved Populations Under The 340b Drug Pricing Program And Urging Hawaii's Congressional Delegation And Relevant Federal Agencies To Monitor Pharmaceutical Companies And Take Appropriate Actions To Protect The Integrity Of The 340b Drug Pricing Program.

Similar Bills

HI HB2491

Relating To The Hawaiian Language.

HI SB1317

Relating To Public Land Trust Funds.

HI HB1266

Relating To Public Land Trust Funds.

HI HCR32

Requesting The Office Of Hawaiian Affairs To Identify The Scope Of Native Hawaiian Cultural Appropriateness For The Purpose Of Addressing Native Hawaiian Disparities.

HI HR21

Requesting The Office Of Hawaiian Affairs To Identify The Scope Of Native Hawaiian Cultural Appropriateness For The Purpose Of Addressing Native Hawaiian Disparities.

HI SB1413

Relating To The Hawaiian Language.

HI SB392

Relating To Support For Traditional Native Speakers Of Hawaiian.

HI HB1128

Relating To Support For Traditional Native Speakers Of Hawaiian.