STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1056

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: S.B. No. 970

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Pandemic & Disaster Preparedness and Health, Human Services, & Homelessness, to which was referred S.B. No. 970, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TELEHEALTH,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize the establishment of a physician-patient relationship via a telehealth appointment if the physician is licensed in the State.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Medical Board, John A. Burns School of Medicine of the University of Hawai‘i, AARP Hawai‘i, Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, Kaiser Permanente, Aloha Nursing Rehab Centre, Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii, The Queen's Health Systems, Hawai‘i Public Health Association, Hawaii Medical Association, Hawai‘i Public Health Institute, Hawai‘i Pacific Health, Hawaii Healthcare Association of Hawaii, and four individuals.

Your Committees find that the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic drastically changed how health care providers care for their patients. As a result of the pandemic, the State has seen an increase in the use of telehealth services, which provides a safe and easy way for patients to continue seeing their health care providers. However, existing law remains unclear on whether a patient may use telehealth to establish a physician-patient relationship. Your Committees believe that having the flexibility to establish a physician‑patient relationship through telehealth will increase access to care for residents in the State.

Your Committees have amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Pandemic & Disaster Preparedness and Health, Human Services, & Homelessness that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 970, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 970, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Pandemic & Disaster Preparedness and Health, Human Services, & Homelessness,

____________________________ RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair

____________________________ LINDA ICHIYAMA, Chair