THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	666
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013		S.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII		H.D. 2

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO HEALTH.

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

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that sick and vulnerable patients and their family members can easily become overwhelmed within the medical system, especially when emergency medical attention is necessary.  Patients may be unaware of their rights regarding the treatment and care they receive from their emergency room physicians.  Patients or family members may disagree with the diagnosis or treatment plan provided by the emergency room physicians, but feel forced to accept the treatment plan despite their reservations or concerns because they are unaware of how to effectively exercise their rights to secure appropriate and available emergency medical care.  Thus, the legislature finds that a patient advocate is needed to assist in effective case management and intervene to enhance communication among patients, family members, and health care providers in emergency situations.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish a task force to assess the scope and feasibility of establishing an emergency services patient advocate program to provide assistance to and advocate on behalf of patients receiving emergency medical care to enable patients and their family members to recognize and exercise their rights to secure appropriate and available emergency medical care.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The director of health shall convene a task force to assess the scope and feasibility of establishing an emergency services patient advocate program to provide assistance to and advocate on behalf of patients receiving emergency medical care.

     (b)  The task force shall consist of the following individuals:

(1)  The director of health or the director's designee;

(2)  Three individuals from the Healthcare Association of Hawaii;

(3)  One representative from the statewide health coordinating council established under section 323D-13, Hawaii Revised Statutes; and

(4)  Three community-patient members who shall be appointed by the director of health.

     The director of health or the director's designee shall serve as the chairperson of the task force. 

No member of the task force shall be made subject to chapter 84, Hawaii Revised Statutes, solely because of that member's participation as a member of the task force.

(c)  The task force shall:

(1)  Examine and identify current practices in emergency services patient advocacy;

(2)  Assess and identify best practices in emergency services patient advocacy;

(3)  Make recommendations on how to effectively implement an emergency services patient advocate program, including a timetable for implementation; and

(4)  Determine the costs of implementing, and resources necessary to implement, an emergency services patient advocate program.

(d)  The task force shall submit a report of its actions, including findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2014.  The report shall include the task force's actions in assessing the scope and feasibility of establishing an emergency services patient advocate program.

(e)  The task force shall cease to exist on June 30, 2014.

SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2030.

Report Title:

Task Force; Emergency Services Patient Advocate Program

Description:

Establishes a task force to assess the scope and feasibility of establishing an emergency services patient advocate program to provide assistance to and advocate on behalf of individuals receiving emergency medical care.  Effective July 1, 2030.  (SB666 HD2)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.