STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1529

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: H.C.R. No. 123

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 123 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE CONVENING OF A WORKING GROUP TO DETERMINE THE GAPS IN ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE AND THE SCOPE OF CARE OF ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to convene a working group to determine the gaps in access to health care and the scope of care of advanced practice registered nurses (Working Group).

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Board of Nursing, Hawaii Medical Board, University of Hawai‘i System, Hawai‘i State Center for Nursing, and The Queen's Health Systems.

Your Committee finds that the State's health care system has been in a state of crisis since before the COVID-19 pandemic, which only exacerbated and further highlighted its shortcomings. Your Committee further finds that rural and neighbor island communities have a physician shortage restricting access to health care. Advanced practice registered nurses are highly trained health care professionals who may assist in increasing the supply of health care providers to those communities in need. This measure will gather the necessary information to make informed policy decisions in determining the role of advanced practice registered nurses in the State's health care system.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Requesting that the Working Group determine the potential role advanced practice registered nurses may play in addressing the gaps in health care, rather than determining the scope of practice of advanced practice registered nurses;

(2) Amending the tasks requested of the Working Group by removing tasks regarding the scope of procedures and care and a comparative study to other jurisdictions;

(3) Amending the membership of the Working Group to include a representative from each major nonprofit health care system and any other individuals invited by either co‑chairperson;

(4) Changing the deadline for the requested report to the Legislature to twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2023;

(5) Changing the date on which the Working Group is requested to dissolve to December 30, 2022;

(6) Amending the title to read, "REQUESTING THE CONVENING OF A WORKING GROUP TO DETERMINE THE GAPS IN ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE AND THE POTENTIAL ROLE ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSES MAY PLAY IN ADDRESSING THESE GAPS."; and

(7) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

Your Committee notes that the Working Group should consult with rural and neighbor island health care organizations to ensure that their perspectives and opinions are within the discussions that will shape the Working Group's final report.

Your Committee further notes that H.C.R. No. 124, H.D. 1 (Regular Session of 2021), is a complementary measure intended to provide the Working Group with additional data and information to fulfill the Working Group's tasks.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 123, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 123, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair