STAND. COM. REP. NO. 738

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1258

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 1258, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TELEHEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to allow for standard telephone contacts for telehealth purposes.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Hawaii Medical Association; University of Hawai‘i System; AARP Hawai‘i; Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition; Advanced Reproductive Medicine & Gynecology of Hawaii, Inc. dba Fertility Institute of Hawaii; Ka‘u Wellness, Primary Care Clinic; Hawai‘i Primary Care Association; Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center; Hawai‘i Psychological Association; American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; Hawaii Psychiatric Medical Association; and twenty-five individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Hawaii Association of Health Plans. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services, Kaiser Permanente Hawai‘i, and Hawaii Medical Service Association.

Your Committee finds that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in an increased use of telehealth services and has further exposed the challenges that remain with internet connectivity, bandwidth, devices, and digital literacy. During the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was found that existing law concerning telehealth services needed to be clarified to allow for the use of telephone visits (i.e., audio-only) for telehealth purposes, as telephone-only visits have proven to be absolutely critical for maintaining connection and care for those who do not have access to smart phones, devices, or computers with webcams. The elderly and high-risk patients who reside in medically-underserved areas often face barriers that can impede seeking care or following up after a doctor's appointment or hospitalization. Therefore, this measure will help improve access to care by allowing standard telephone contacts for the purpose of providing telehealth services.

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. 1258, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

________________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair