STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3490

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.C.R. No. 122

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 122, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO ASSESS THE SCOPE AND FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING AN EMERGENCY SERVICES PATIENT ADVOCATE PROGRAM,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the Director of Health to 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.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Healthcare Association of Hawaii.

     Your Committee finds that a patient advocate program may contribute to effective case management, and enhance communication among patients, family members, and health care providers, in the provision of medical services in emergency room settings.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 122, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair