THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2180
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to health care.

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

     SECTION 1.  Beginning no later than December 1, 2017, the department of health shall implement a nurse health advice line pilot program in partnership with private organizations.  The objective of the pilot program shall be to coordinate a network of registered nurses that a Hawaii resident may access twenty-four hours a day via telephone or web access to obtain healthcare advice and recommendations on whether to seek medical attention.  The department may enter into contracts with hospitals, insurance companies, health networks, or other entities to provide twenty-four hour access to the nurse advice network.  The purpose of this Act is to establish a nurse health advice line pilot program that provides professional guidance from registered nurses and increases access to primary care for Hawaii residents while reducing healthcare costs through decreased emergency room and urgent care visits and hospital recidivism rates.

     SECTION 2.  The department of health shall submit an annual report on the pilot program, including:

     (1)  The organizations partnered with the program;

     (2)  The number of registered nurses employed by the program;

     (3)  The number of calls received;

     (4)  The number of emergency room and urgent care visits averted by the program;

     (5)  Quality standards and rules adopted; and

     (6)  Data collected and program evaluations,

along with any recommendations and proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular sessions of 2018 and 2019.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2016-2017 for the nurse health advice line pilot program.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2016.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Department of Health; Nurse Health Advice Line Pilot Program; Appropriation

Description:

Requires and appropriates funds for the department of health to coordinate with private partnerships to develop a pilot program to provide Hawaii residents with information and access to a nurse health advice line.

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