STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1526

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 1272

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1272, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO IMPROVING ACCESS TO PSYCHIATRIC CARE FOR MEDICAID PATIENTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to specify that coverage for telehealth under the State's Medicaid managed care and fee-for-service programs includes psychiatric services delivered via telehealth through a behavioral health care manager who is present in a primary health care provider's office.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from The Queen's Health Systems, Hawaii Psychiatric Medical Association, American Psychiatric Association, and one individual.

     The Department of Human Services, Hawaii Medical Service Association, and Hawaii Psychological Association submitted written comments on the measure.

     Your Committee finds that this measure will allow more patients to receive the psychiatric care they need in a timely and efficient manner.  Your Committee notes, however, the concerns raised by the Hawaii Medical Service Association in its written comments with respect to including "licensed counselor" in the definition of "behavioral health care manager."  Your Committee recommends that the lead committee chair for the Senate address these concerns during conference on the measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1272, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair