STAND. COM. REP. NO.  207

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2011

RE:   H.B. No. 512

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 512 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PALLIATIVE CARE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to provide insurance coverage for palliative care for persons diagnosed with a chronic or serious disease as well as to covered persons who are caregivers, family members, or household members of a person who is diagnosed with a chronic or serious disease.

     The American Cancer Society, Hawaii Association of Nurse Anesthetists, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, and several concerned individuals testified in support of this measure.  The State Insurance Commissioner, Hawaii Association of Health Plans, Hawaii Medical Service Association, The Healthcare Association, and one concerned individual offered comments.

     Your Committee finds that the measure should include an industry-wide definition of palliative care to ensure consistency of care, and that reference to "other medical treatment" must also be clarified.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

     (1)  Including a consistent, industry-wide definition of "palliative care";

     (2)  Deleting references to "other medical treatment";

     (3)  Adding references to "curative treatments";

     (4)  Limiting palliative care insurance coverage to persons diagnosed with a chronic or serious illness; and

     (5)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     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 H.B. No. 512, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 512, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

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

____________________________

RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair