RELATING TO ACQUISITION OF HOSPITALS.

Requires approval by SHPDA prior to the acquisition of an ownership or controlling interest in a private nonprofit hospital by a nonprofit corporation or a government entity.

HB 786

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR DONATED DENTAL SERVICES.

Makes appropriation for donated dental services program for elderly, persons who have a disability or mental illness, or are homeless, through the Foundation of Dentistry for the Handicapped (HB786 HD1).

HB 202

RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE.

Defines "clean claim"; requires entities to make available an electronic system to produce immediate verification of eligibility; requires a report to Insurance Commissioner on claims unpaid or contested with reasons for the contested claims. (HB202 HD1)

HB 588

RELATING TO RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE BOARD OF MEDICAL EXAMINERS.

Provides for a streamlined license renewal process for medical physicians, podiatrists, and emergency medical personnel. (HB588 HD1) (SB 1064)

HB 633

RELATING TO FUNERAL ASSISTANCE PAYMENTS.

Allows the respective county medical examiner or coroner to submit an application for funeral payments under the Department's funeral payment program on behalf of an unclaimed corpse more than sixty days after the date of death of the deceased (HB633 HD1). (SB1108, SD2)

HB 636

RELATING TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR NONINSTITUTIONAL PROVIDERS OF MEDICAL CARE FOR SERVICES.

Allows the Department of Human Services to change its current method of reimbursement to noninstitutional providers of medical care by creating a fee schedule based on services provided, rather than on specialty of practice. (HB636 HD1) (SB1111, SD1)

HB 569

MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION FOR HEALTH FUND PREMIUMS.

Appropriates additional emergency funds in fiscal year 2000-2001 to pay for the State's employer portion of health fund premiums. (SB1045)

HB 638

RELATING TO PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.

Clarifies that DHS's annual update of liens with the Bureau of Conveyances is an internal departmental accounting measure. Allows DHS to initiate probate proceedings to enforce liens. Provides that recording and tracking procedures apply to both types of DHS liens. (HB638 HD1) (SB1113)

HB 644

RELATING TO PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

Replaces the electronic prescription Act, Act 304, SLH 1997, which sunsets June 31, 2001, by amending part I, the Hawaii Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, of chapter 328, Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics, to allow prescriptions to be electronically transmitted to pharmacies and medical oxygen distributors, allow drug dispensers to keep records of prescriptions in electronic form. (HB644 HD1) (SB1119, SD2)

HB 646

RELATING TO THE SALE OF STERILE SYRINGES FOR THE PREVENTION OF DISEASE.

Decriminalizes the sale of sterile syringes to persons who may use them for injection of illicit drugs. Requires the Director of Health to develop and implement: (1) A system of disposing used syringes; and (2) A system of monitoring newly-purchased syringes that enter the needle exchange program. Requires the Director of Health to report to the 2002 Legislature the status of devising the foregoing systems. Provides that the bill take effect on July 1, 2002 and be repealed on July 1, 2004. (HB646 HD1) (SB1128, SD1)

HB 654

RELATING TO SAFE DRINKING WATER.

Extends the lead free requirement to plumbing fittings and fixtures and adopts the lead free standard in the National Sanitation Foundation Standard 61, section 9, for systems providing water for human consumption. (HB654 HD1) (SB1129)

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Senator David Matsuura