STAND. COM. REP. NO. 44

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2001

RE: S.B. No. 1064

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 1064 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE BOARD OF MEDICAL EXAMINERS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to streamline the license renewal process for physicians and surgeons by eliminating ineffective educational requirements and no longer requiring physicians, surgeons, and podiatrists to provide evidence of compliance with educational requirements at the time of renewal. Rather, this measure subjects them to random audits to assure compliance.

Your Committee received testimony in favor of this measure from the Board of Medical Examiners, Hawaii Medical Association, Hawaii Podiatric Medical Association, and Podiatry Advisory Committee for the Board of Medical Examiners.

Your Committee finds that there are inefficiencies in the license renewal process for physicians, surgeons, and podiatrists. Currently, continuing education requirements for physicians and surgeons include participation in Category 1 and Category 2 activities. This measure specifies that physicians and surgeons need only participate in Category 1 activities. Your Committee finds that, for purposes of license renewal, Category 1 activities are sufficient.

In addition, your Committee finds that there is excessive paper work involved in the license renewal process. This measure eliminates excess paper work by simply subjecting physicians, surgeons, and podiatrists to random audits to ensure compliance with continuing education requirements.

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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1064 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing.

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

____________________________

DAVID MATSUURA, Chair