STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1479-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

RE:   S.B. No. 2395

      S.D. 1

      H.D. 2

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 2395, S.D. 1, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TELEHEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to expand access to healthcare via Telehealth by embracing emerging technologies, eliminating geographic and originating site limitations, instituting reimbursement parity in the Medicaid program, requiring parity in medical providers' professional liability insurance, and clarifying the relationship requirements between patients, insurers, and providers.

The Department of Human Services, State Council on Developmental Disabilities, DentaQuest, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Hawaii Medical Service Association, Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii, The Queen's Health Systems, Hawaii Association for Behavior Analysis, and several individuals provided testimony in support of the measure.

     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. 2395, S.D. 1, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair