STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3964

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.C.R. No. 125

H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 125, H.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A TELEHEALTH WORKING GROUP TO EXAMINE THE IMPACT OF WIDESPREAD TELEHEALTH ADOPTION DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND IDENTIFY PUBLIC POLICY INITIATIVES AT THE FEDERAL AND STATE LEVEL TO OPTIMIZE TELEHEALTH UTILIZATION AS THE STATE TRANSITIONS OUT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the establishment of a Telehealth Working Group to examine the impact of widespread telehealth adoption during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and identify public policy initiatives at the federal and state levels to optimize telehealth utilization as the State transitions out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, Department of Human Services, The Queen's Health System, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, University of Hawaiʻi System, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that the State experienced an increase in the use of telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Your Committee further finds that although there is data to support the safety, efficacy, timeliness, access, and cost effectiveness of telehealth, the impact of widespread telehealth adoption in the State is largely unknown. This measure provides the State with greater insight into existing telehealth challenges and benefits by requesting the working group to evaluate and report on the impact of widespread telehealth adoption in the State on safety, utilization, total cost of care, and patient and provider satisfaction.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 125, H.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health and Human Services,

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JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair