STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2972

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 3126

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 3126 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO RAPID IDENTIFICATION DOCUMENTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to delete the requirement, for a rapid identification document, that a physician certify that the patient is terminally ill, and replaces the "comfort care only" bracelet or necklace with a written certification.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Kokua Mau, the Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs, and seven individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition from the Hawaii Right to Life-Maui Chapter.

Your Committee finds that the current "Comfort Care Only" bracelet system has proven to be ineffective in allowing health care providers to honor the wishes of a patient. A rapid identification document system allows patients to clearly communicate their health care wishes without ambiguity, confusion, or delay.

Your Committee further finds that allowing the patient's guardian, agent, or surrogate to direct health care providers to administer comfort care only in an emergency situation is necessary to conform with existing law regarding lawfully appointed guardians, agents, or surrogates acting on behalf of incapacitated patients.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 3126, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs.

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

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair