STAND. COM. REP. NO.  699

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

RE:   H.B. No. 808

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Consumer Protection & Commerce and Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 808 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

beg leave to report as follows:

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

     (1)  Clarifying a physician's scope of practice in the provision of telehealth services;

     (2)  Establishing requirements and standards for telemedicine services, including for treatment recommendations and medical reports; and

     (3)  Prohibiting the practice of telemedicine in Hawaii without a license to practice medicine in Hawaii.

     The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, Hawaii Medical Service Association, and MDX Hawaii testified in support of this bill.  DCCA's Regulated Industries Complaints Office, the Hawaii Medical Board, Hawaii Telehealth Collaborative, and Hawaii Medical Association provided comments.

     Hawaii's unique geographic location necessitates the use of new ideas and technologies to overcome barriers to medical care, particularly for rural areas where access to care is especially difficult.  Telemedicine allows physicians to treat patients through the use of telecommunications, providing a cost-effective and convenient alternative for the provision of health care in certain circumstances.  This bill supports the use of telemedicine as a means of addressing the shortage of physicians in Hawaii and improving access to health services in general.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Consumer Protection & Commerce and Judiciary that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 808 and recommend that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Consumer Protection & Commerce and Judiciary,

____________________________ JON RIKI KARAMATSU, Chair

____________________________ ROBERT N. HERKES, Chair