Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Health and Human Services and Economic Development and Technology, to which was referred S.B. No. 975 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require reimbursement for telehealth services provided to Medicaid patients on Hawaii's health facilities.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation.

Your Committees believe that this measure will encourage the use of telemedine. This technology provides numerous benefits, especially to those on the neighbor islands. They will have access to specialist, post-surgical treatment and follow-up, and its use will result in a reduction in the inappropriate transfer of patients and the cost associated with the transfer. Hawaii needs to improve the basic health care in the State's rural communities and this measure provides them the access to care they need.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Human Services and Economic Development and Technology that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 975 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.