Lingle promotes health
of Hawaii residents

Hawaii has been described as the "healthy state." In fact, some identify Hawaii as the healthiest and cleanest environment in the United States, if not the world. Our residents enjoy a longer life expectancy than the rest of the nation, and our year-round good weather encourages active lifestyles.

Since 2002, the Lingle-Aiona administration has been supporting policies that promote the health of Hawaii's residents. Whether it was stepping up efforts to enroll additional qualified poor and needy children and pregnant women in the Medicaid program or ensuring that insurance coverage for certain severe mental health problems is on par with coverage for physical health problems, the goal has been to promote the health of those who call Hawaii home.

Three recent examples illustrate the administration's commitment to the physical well-being of Hawaii's residents.

» A bill Governor Lingle signed into law as Act 207 on July 8 will benefit students with diabetes by allowing Department of Education personnel to administer glucagon to these students in emergency situations. Glucagon is a hormone made by the body that raises the level of glucose in the blood. Children with diabetes who have insufficient glucagon can actually lose consciousness from their condition and lapse into a life-threatening situation unless immediately injected with glucagon. Self-administration is sometimes impossible. This new law will literally save lives.

» Another important measure signed into law by the governor is Act 176, which encourages bone marrow and living organ donations. This measure increases the number of days a government employee can take paid leave for the purpose of making a bone marrow and living organ donation. In 1999, the federal government enacted the Organ Donor Leave Act, which provides paid leave to federal employees who serve as organ donors. This law brings Hawaii into line with federal policy and entitles state and county employees up to seven days of paid leave each calendar year to serve as a bone marrow donor.

» Recognizing mental illness and ensuring that people who have suffered from mental illness receive adequate care have been priorities of this administration. Lingle has long worked to provide for fairer and more equal treatment of persons who suffer from mental illnesses by better enabling individuals with serious mental illness to access necessary treatment.

The legislation she signed as Act 140 will add to the official definitions of serious mental illness four additional disorders: obsessive compulsive disorder, dissociative disorder, delusional disorder and major depression. By adding these disorders they will qualify for coverage under most of the state's health plans, thus promoting parity between mental health and physical health insurance coverage.

Most important, early diagnosis and proper treatment of mental illness is a form of prevention that can reduce societal costs and reduce the need for longer-term treatment.

Through support of these measures, Lingle's administration is continuing to demonstrate its commitment to a healthy Hawaii and the well-being of every citizen who lives in our state.

Denis Mee-Lee, M.D., is the director of Hawaii Clinical Research Center.

Lingle promotes health of Hawaii residents

Lingle promotes health
of Hawaii residents