Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 233, S.D. 2, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to clarify:

(3) Titles that chiropractors may use.

The Board of Chiropractic Examiners, Hawaii State Chiropractic Association, the Hawaii Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association, Massage Therapists Association of Hawaii, Hawaii Nurses Association, various chiropractors, and chiropractic clinics supported this measure.

The Hawaii Medical Association and various physicians submitted testimony in opposition to this measure. These professionals maintained that this bill will expand the scope of practice beyond the capabilities of a chiropractor and may mislead and confuse the healthcare consumer.

The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii opposed this measure, stating that there would be financial repercussions on businesses in Hawaii. The Hawaii Insurers Council also was opposed to this measure due to the possible medical and financial implications to the community.

Your Committee recognizes that the chiropractic profession received recognition in Hawaii in 1919. However, little has changed with regard to the chiropractor's scope of practice even though the profession has matured and improved over the last 77 years.

Furthermore, your Committee understands that this bill will bring the chiropractic practice in line with modern education and training, current national practice standards, and widely accepted national board examinations. It may also help to alleviate some of the healthcare costs faced by the people of Hawaii and allow chiropractors to improve their patient care.

However, your Committee understands the concerns brought forth by the medical community and has, therefore, amended this measure by:

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2005; and

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 S.B. No. 233, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 233, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committees on Consumer Protection and Commerce and Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs.