STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1308

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: S.B. No. 693

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health & Homelessness, to which was referred S.B. No. 693, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PHARMACISTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to mandate reimbursement for services provided by pharmacists within their scope of practice by public and private health plans in the State.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, Board of Pharmacy, Hawai‘i Pacific Health, AARP Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i Pharmacists Association, Hawai‘i Primary Care Association, KTA Super Stores, Community First Hawai‘i, Family Medicine Center, American Pharmacists Association, The Keto Prescription Clinic, Big Island Docs, and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Hawaii Medical Service Association, Kaiser Permanente Hawai‘i, The Queen's Health System, Hawaii Association of Health Plans, and AlohaCare.

Your Committee finds that the State is facing a severe shortage of health care providers, particularly in rural and underserved areas of the State. Your Committee further finds that pharmacists can bridge the gaps created by the State's physician shortage by educating patients on how and when to check blood sugar, ways to avoid and manage hypoglycemia, how to take their medications correctly to avoid adverse effects, and various medication utilization techniques. Pharmacists are also geographically dispersed throughout the community with extended hours of operation, making access to health care provided through pharmacies convenient for patients in each locality. Your Committee finds that providing reimbursement to pharmacists practicing within their scope of practice will enable pharmacies to remain open and ensure local pharmacists can continue providing vital care to their patients. Your Committee notes that pursuant to section 23-51, Hawaii Revised Statutes, it is necessary to request the Auditor by concurrent resolution to complete an assessment on the mandated health insurance coverage proposed by this measure.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the date after which mandated reimbursement for services provided by pharmacists within their scope of practice by private and public health plans in the State takes effect to July 1, 2025;

(2) Clarifying that the mandated reimbursement for services provided by pharmacists is limited to licensed pharmacists who are contracted with the insurer or mutual benefit society to provide services;

(3) Changing the effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 693, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 693, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health & Homelessness,

____________________________

DELLA AU BELATTI, Chair