STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1005

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

RE:   S.B. No. 1142

      S.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 1142, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to improve patient access to medical care by:

     (1)  Clarifying the procedures and circumstances under which licensed physician assistants (PAs) may provide services; and

     (2)  Providing PAs, who render emergency care services, with limited liability protection pursuant to the Good Samaritan laws.

     The Hawaii Primary Care Association, Hawaii Academy of Physician Assistants, and several concerned individuals supported this bill.  The Hawaii Medical Board supported the intent of this measure.  The Department of Human Services and the Disability and Communications Access Board submitted comments.

     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. 1142, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committees on Consumer Protection & Commerce and Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

____________________________

RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair