Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono

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Washington, Nov 4 -

Madam Speaker:

I rise today to introduce the Native Hawaiian Health Care Improvement Reauthorization Act of 2009.  This legislation is a companion to S. 76, which was introduced earlier this year by Senator Daniel K. Inouye.

Native Hawaiians, like American Indians and Alaska Natives, are an indigenous, native people.  The Native Hawaiian Health Care Act of 1988 (42 USC 11701 et seq.) provided the authority for the establishment of a range of programs and services designed to improve the health care status of the native people of Hawaii.  While Native Hawaiian health care programs have been continuously funded since 1988, they have not been reauthorized since 1992.  The bill I introduce today will reauthorize the Native Hawaiian Health Care Act through 2014.

Native Hawaiians have the highest cancer mortality rates in the State of Hawaii (216.8 out of every 100,000 male residents and 191.6 out of every 100,000 female residents).  These cancer rates are 21% higher than for the total state male population (179.0 out of every 100,000 residents) and 64% higher than that for the total state female population (117.0 per 100,000).   With respect to breast cancer, Native Hawaiians have the highest mortality rates in the Hawaii and nationally Native Hawaiians have the third highest mortality rates.

The death rate from heart disease for Native Hawaiians is 68% higher than that for the entire population of the State of Hawaii.  The death rate from hypertension is 84% higher sand the death rate from stroke is 20% higher for Native Hawaiians than for the general population of the State of Hawaii.

Congress has previously recognized the unique and historical relationship between the United States and the indigenous people of Hawaii.  I urge my colleagues continued support for the health and wellbeing of Native Hawaiians.

Mahalo (thank you).