STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2042

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2891

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 2891 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TELEHEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to create and appropriate funds for a pilot program to increase provider adoption of telehealth, support health care workforce development linked to telehealth, and evaluate the clinical and administrative efficiency of telehealth.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from County of Hawaii, Office of the Mayor; Hawaii Primary Care Association; Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition; Wahiawa Center for Community Health; and five individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the State Procurement Office.

Your Committee finds that many residents, especially those in rural areas, are unable to visit a health center in person, whether because of limited financial resources, lack of transportation, disability, or other reasons. This lack of access is exacerbated by the severe shortage of health care professionals, especially in rural areas. Your Committee finds that the telehealth pilot program proposed by this measure presents an opportunity to increase adoption of the use of telehealth by providers and patients and an opportunity to evaluate the effectiveness of telehealth and how to implement it on a larger scale.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2891 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health,

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ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair