STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2480

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2467

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 2467 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PODIATRISTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to conform the definition of "podiatric medicine" to national standards regarding diagnosis and treatment of the foot and ankle.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Medical Board, Podiatry Advisory Committee; Hawaii Podiatric Medical Association; Maui Medical Group, Inc.; Aloha Surgical Center; and twenty-eight individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Medical Association and three individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaii Medical Board.

     Your Committee finds that podiatrists have extensive training, experience, and qualifications to perform all levels of foot, ankle, and lower leg surgery.  However, Hawaii's existing scope of practice for podiatrists was formulated over twenty years ago and does not adequately reflect the advanced surgical training that practicing podiatrists receive in the treatment of foot and ankle disorders.  Your Committee further finds that forty-five states permit podiatrists to perform surgery on ankles, including the surgical treatment of ankle fractures.

     Your Committee additionally finds that this measure enables podiatrists in Hawaii to perform to the full extent of their skills, training, and ability and allows podiatrists to provide the best continuity of care for their patients.  Updating the scope of practice for podiatrists also ensures that patients, especially those in rural areas or on the neighbor islands, who suffer from lower extremity ailments have better access to highly-qualified health care providers trained in the treatment of disorders of the foot and ankle.  Your Committee also finds that this measure will strengthen the practice of podiatric medicine and surgery in Hawaii.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2467 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

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

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair