STAND. COM. REP. NO.  849-10

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2010

RE:   S.B. No. 2566

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 2566, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MEDICAL AND REHABILITATION BENEFITS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to ensure that injured workers have access to appropriate health care by clarifying that a physician or surgeon may conduct diagnostic testing or engage in a one-time consultation for a subspecialty diagnostic evaluation and treatment recommendation from a board certified or licensed specialist, who may work in a facility where the physician or surgeon has a financial interest.

     Hawaii Medical Association and Hawaii Injured Workers Alliance testified in support of this bill.  Hawaii Chapter American Physical Therapy Association supported this measure with amendments.  The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, the Department of Human Resource Development, Hawaii Insurers Council, and Property Casualty Insurers Association of America opposed this bill.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2566, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

ROBERT N. HERKES, Chair