STAND. COM. REP. NO. 94

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: H.B. No. 907

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 H.B. No. 907 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TELEHEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize reimbursement services provided through telehealth by way of an interactive telecommunications system.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawai‘i John A. Burns School of Medicine, Hawaii Primary Care Association, National Association of Social Workers - Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i Psychological Association, Alzheimer's Association, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Hawaiian Islands Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Hawaii Medical Association, AARP Hawai‘i, ATA Action, Hawai‘i Pacific Health, Hawai‘i Parkinson Association, and nine individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, and Hawaii Medical Service Association.

Your Committee finds that the State's rural and underprivileged communities are often cut off from receiving essential health care services through telehealth because they lack the broadband coverage necessary to access this care. Your Committee further finds that the use of standard telephone contact in telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the effectiveness of this tool as a mode of essential health care delivery, particularly for residents living in rural, isolated, or underprivileged communities. This measure expands access to essential health care services by authorizing reimbursement of services provided through telehealth by way of an interactive telecommunications system.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that "interactive telecommunications system" includes two-way real-time audio-only communication;

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

(3) 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 H.B. No. 907, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 907, 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