Hawaii House Bill HB819

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/23/25
• Refer: 1/23/25

Caption

Relating To Disability Health Disparity.

Impact

The primary impact of HB819 is the appropriation of funds for the State Council on Developmental Disabilities to collect and analyze data specifically related to the health disparities in these populations. This initiative is focused on capturing accurate and current data to inform service evaluation, policy development, and research, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. This data collection effort is vital, considering that past reliance on outdated federal prevalence rates does not reflect the current demographic and health needs of the state’s population.

Summary

House Bill 819 aims to address the health disparities experienced by individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Hawaii. The bill recognizes that these individuals often face significant challenges in health outcomes compared to their peers without disabilities. Statistics indicate that adults with these disabilities are more likely to report fair or poor health and be diagnosed with chronic diseases, underscoring the necessity for targeted health interventions and better access to healthcare services. The bill stresses the need for a comprehensive understanding of the social determinants affecting their health.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HB819 may include the logistics and funding of data collection efforts, as well as potential opposition from stakeholders concerned about the resources required for implementation. Additionally, there may be discussions regarding the definition of intellectual and developmental disabilities and how broadly or narrowly these categories should be applied in gathering data. Advocates for disabilities may push for more robust engagement of community stakeholders in the data collection process to ensure the collected data accurately represents the experiences of those most affected.