Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Health and Human Services and Media, Arts, Science, and Technology, to which was referred S.B. No. 1358 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Human Services, Maui Memorial Medical Center, and the Maui Community College nursing program to conduct a two-year study of in-home telehealth monitoring services to high-risk/high-cost Medicaid patients with frequent hospitalizations.

The Maui Community College and Hawaii Health Systems Corporation submitted testimony in support of this measure.

Your Committees find that the population of blind, elderly, and disabled Medicaid patients in Hawaii is increasing. The cost of caring for these patients is also increasing. Innovative care strategies can be utilized, such as in-home telehealth services, to try to reduce hospital re-admissions and lengths of stay in hospitals for patients with frequent hospitalizations. The Maui Community College testified that telehealth provides direct communication between patients from their home to the health care provider. It includes transfer of video images and physiologic data, such as blood pressures, heart rates, and blood sugar readings. The telehealth pilot study in this measure provides the opportunity for patients with chronic conditions to have regular, consistent contact with a nurse practitioner with the goal of reducing health care costs and improving the quality of life for patients.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Human Services and Media, Arts, Science, and Technology that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1358 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.