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Senate Health Committee advises and consents to four nominees, defers one
Summary
The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services advised and consented to four gubernatorial nominees to advisory boards — Jamie Gagnon, Raylene Tenno, Kathleen Merriam and Jeffrey Hicks — and deferred Christine Kabingang Tinkham to a March 11 decision. Nominees spoke about seniors, emergency preparedness, health planning, mental health and juvenile rehabilitation.
The Senate Committee on Health and Human Services met in a 1:00 hearing streamed on YouTube and advised and consented to four gubernatorial nominees while deferring a fifth to a later decision. The committee adopted the chair's recommendation to advise and consent to Jamie Gagnon, Raylene Tenno, Kathleen Merriam and Jeffrey Hicks; the committee deferred Christine Kabingang Tinkham's confirmation to Wednesday, March 11 at 1 p.m. in Room 225.
Raelene Tenno, nominated to serve on the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs, told the committee she seeks a second term focused on seniors and emergency preparedness. Tenno described personal caregiving responsibilities and difficulties in finding long-term care resources, saying emergency-preparedness education for older residents remains uneven: "We encourage it, but it's not in statute," Tenno said, describing hurdles agencies and condominium associations face in implementing preparedness for older adults.
Jamie Gagnon, nominee to the State Health Planning and Development Council for the West Oahu subarea, said she wants to help the region by strengthening planning and resources for independent providers. "Our independent doctors right now are struggling," Gagnon said, and she urged work toward a more sustainable system of care and clearer referral pathways.
Kathleen Merriam, nominated to the State Council on Mental Health, said she has worked in mental health for more than 40 years and currently manages a community mental health center in Kaneohe. Merriam discussed the importance of "clubhouse" programs for recovery and said statewide coordination for those services has weakened after a coordinator position was eliminated.
Jeffrey Hicks, up for the juvenile justice state advisory council, emphasized rehabilitation and prevention based on long experience working with youth. Hicks said he currently chairs the juvenile justice state compliance committee and described the value of interventions that allow young people to "turn their lives around."
The committee read multiple written supporters into the record for nominees and heard brief in-person endorsements. Carolyn Katarow of the Office of Aging testified in support of Tenno, calling her "a great asset" with knowledge about housing and condominium issues relevant to elder services.
Votes at a glance • GM542 Jamie Gagnon — Chair's recommendation: advise and consent. Recommendation adopted; roll-call tally not specified in the transcript. • GM541 Christine Kabingang Tinkham — Deferred to Wednesday, March 11, 1 p.m., Room 225. • GM688 Raylene Tenno — Chair's recommendation: advise and consent. Recommendation adopted; roll-call tally not specified. • GM712 Kathleen Merriam — Chair's recommendation: advise and consent. Recommendation adopted; roll-call tally not specified. • GM560 Jeffrey Hicks — Chair's recommendation: advise and consent. Recommendation adopted; roll-call tally not specified.
The committee adjourned after decision making. The transcript records that, in the event of abrupt technical issues, the panel would reconvene on Wednesday, March 11 at 1 p.m. in Room 225 to complete any outstanding business.
