Hawaii Senate Bill SCR38

Hawaii 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/7/23
• Refer: 3/9/23

Caption

Urging The University Of Hawaii At Manoa John A. Burns School Of Medicine To Prioritize Efforts To Strengthen Hawaii's Reproductive Care Workforce, Particularly For Rural And Remote Areas Of The State.

Impact

The resolution comes in response to concerning trends regarding reproductive care access—specifically the declining number of abortion providers in Hawaii since the 1990s. This decline has been associated with increased financial distress among those denied access to such care. SCR38 aims to address these disparities, particularly in light of the Supreme Court's recent decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which has led to tightened access to abortion nationwide, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities in Hawaii.

Summary

Senate Concurrent Resolution 38 (SCR38) addresses the urgent need to bolster reproductive care services in Hawaii. Specifically, it urges the University of Hawaii at Manoa's John A. Burns School of Medicine to prioritize efforts to strengthen the state's reproductive care workforce, with a particular focus on improving access in rural and remote areas. The resolution emphasizes the significant barriers faced by residents in these regions, where reproductive clinics are scarce, and identifies the need for policy measures that address these challenges.

Contention

Despite its intentions, SCR38 may encounter debate regarding the scope of state intervention in healthcare. Some may argue that increasing the reproductive care workforce warrants a reallocation of resources within the medical educational framework, which could raise concerns over prioritizing specific healthcare fields at the expense of others. Furthermore, there could be discussions around ensuring sufficient financial assistance and support for students in the related academic programs, highlighting the potential for differing views on budgetary priorities in state education.