STAND. COM. REP. NO. 289

                                 Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                   , 1999

                                 RE: H.B. No. 328
                                     H.D. 1




Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 1999
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 328
entitled: 

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SUBSTANCE ABUSE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to increase access for alcohol
and substance abuse treatment by:

     (1)  Allowing physicians to provide treatment services for
          mental health and substance abuse;

     (2)  Exempting physicians from certification requirements
          for substance abuse treatment.

     The Hawaii Medical Association and the Hawaii Psychiatric
Medical Association submitted testimony in support of this
measure.  The Department of Health, the Hawaii Substance Abuse
Coalition, and Hawaii Biodyne submitted testimony in opposition
of this measure.  The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
submitted comments.

     Your Committee finds that this measure, as written, would
compromise the quality of care that patients receive because most
licensed physicians are not qualified by education and training
to treat alcohol and substance abuse problems.


 
 
 
 
                                 STAND. COM. REP. NO. 289
                                 Page 2

 
     Your Committee has amended this measure by deleting its
substance and inserting language expanding alcohol and drug abuse
treatment coverage to physicians who are board certified in
psychiatry and have additional qualifications in addiction
psychiatry conferred by the American Board of Psychiatry and
Neurology.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your
Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No.
328, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second
Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 328, H.D. 1, and
be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.

                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committee on Health,



                                   ______________________________
                                   ALEXANDER C. SANTIAGO, Chair