STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1608

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2013

RE:   S.B. No. 666

      S.D. 2

      H.D. 2

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 666, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to assist in effective case management and intervene to enhance communication among patients, family members, and health care providers in emergency situations by establishing a task force to:

     (1)  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; and

     (2)  Submit a report of its findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2014.

A concerned individual testified in support of this measure.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2030, to facilitate further discussion; and

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

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 666, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 666, S.D. 2, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair