STAND. COM. REP. NO.  956

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

 

RE:   H.B. No. 1272

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1272, H.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 of this measure is to expand access to psychiatric care for Medicaid recipients by specifying that the State's Medicaid program provide coverage for psychiatric care provided remotely through telecommunications services by a licensed psychiatrist who is located at a primary care provider's office and is accompanied by a qualified behavioral health care manager.

 

     The Hawaii Medical Association, Effective Change, LLC, and a concerned individual testified in support of this measure.  The Department of Human Services, Hawaii Psychiatric Medical Association, Hawaii Medical Service Association, and Hawaii Psychological Association provided comments.

 

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

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair