Report Title:

Certificate of Need; Blue Ribbon Panel

Description:

Establishes a temporary blue ribbon panel to study the certificate of need process in other states and recommend changes or the abolishment of Hawaii's certificate of need process.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1067
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to certificates of need.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  (a)  There shall be established a twelve-member certificate of need study blue ribbon panel.  The members shall include the director of health and eleven members of the public.  The public members shall be appointed as follows:

     (1)  Three persons shall be appointed by the president of the senate, of which:

         (A)  One shall be a licensed healthcare professional;

         (B)  One shall be a representative of a licensed healthcare facility; and

         (C)  One shall have knowledge about healthcare financing;

     (2)  Three persons shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives, of which:

         (A)  One shall be a licensed healthcare professional;

         (B)  One shall be a representative of a licensed healthcare facility; and

         (C)  One shall have knowledge about healthcare financing;

          and

     (3)  Five persons shall be appointed by the governor, of which:

         (A)  One shall be a licensed healthcare professional;

         (B)  One shall be a representative of a licensed healthcare facility; and

         (C)  Three shall have knowledge about healthcare financing.

Vacancies in the membership of the panel shall be filled in the same manner provided for the original appointments.

     (b)  The membership of the panel shall vote to elect a chairperson.

     (c)  The panel shall be entitled to request assistance and information from the employees of any state, county, or municipal department, board, bureau, commission, or agency as may be required for its purposes.  The department of health shall provide staff support for the panel.

     (d)  The panel shall conduct a comprehensive study to examine:

     (1)  Certificate of need processes in other states that have been modified or eliminated, and the effects of the modifications or elimination;

     (2)  What other states are doing to reform the certificate of need process; and

     (3)  The impact that modification or elimination of the certificate of need process may have on the state with regard to:

         (A)  Access to care by residents;

         (B)  Quality of care;

         (C)  Services that are delivered statewide or on a regional basis; and

         (D)  Funding, including programs such as medicaid;

     (e)  The panel shall submit a report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2008.  The report shall include recommendations, including suggested legislation, if any, on:

     (1)  The panel's findings with regard to other state's experiences with the certificate of need process;

     (2)  The future of Hawaii's certificate of need process;

     (3)  Which healthcare services or facilities, if any, should continue to be subject to the certificate of need requirements or other state regulation; and

     (4)  Which services or facilities should be exempt from state regulation.

     SECTION 2.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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