STAND. COM. REP. NO.  541

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

 

RE:   H.B. No. 1378

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 1378, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSES,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this bill is to increase access to health care by requiring insurers, mutual and fraternal benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations to recognize advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) as primary care providers.  This measure also increases APRN signature and prescriptive authorities.

 

     The University of Hawaii at Manoa School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Hawaii Primary Care Association, AARP-Hawaii, and numerous concerned individuals testified in support of this bill.  The Hawaii State Center for Nursing and Walgreens supported the intent of this measure.  The Hawaii Association of Health Plans, Hawaii Medical Association, Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, and several concerned individuals opposed this bill.  The Department of Human Services, Department of Public Safety, Board of Nursing, Hawaii Association of Professional Nurses, Disability and Communication Access Board, Hawaii Government Employees Association, Hawaii Medical Service Association, and several concerned individuals provided comments.

 

     This bill proposes to address problems in health care access, including physician shortages, by expanding the role of APRNs in the delivery of services.  However, there are concerns regarding the extent to which this measure expands the scope of APRN practice.  The question as to whether APRNs should be considered "primary care providers" should therefore be carefully explored.

 

     Your Committee also recognizes there are concerns with amendments to this bill altering the APRN educational and certification requirements and changing the entity (Hawaii Medical Board or Board of Nursing) that determines the formulary of drugs that APRNs may prescribe.  In light of these matters, your Committee notes the defective date in this bill and is moving it along for further consideration.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1378, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

ROBERT N. HERKES, Chair