Bill Text: HI HCR122 | 2014 | Regular Session | Amended

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Bill Title: Emergency Services Patient Advocate Program

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2014-04-24 - Resolution adopted in final form. [HCR122 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2014-HCR122-Amended.html

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	122
TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2014		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII		S.D. 1

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

URGING THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO ASSESS THE SCOPE AND FEASIBILITY OF ESTABLISHING AN EMERGENCY SERVICES PATIENT ADVOCATE PROGRAM.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, the Legislature finds that sick and vulnerable patients and their family members can easily become overwhelmed within the medical system, especially when emergency medical attention is necessary; and

 

     WHEREAS, patients may be unaware of their rights regarding the treatment and care they receive from their emergency room physicians; and

 

     WHEREAS, patients or family members may disagree with the diagnosis or treatment plan provided by the emergency room physicians, but they feel forced to accept the treatment plan despite their concerns because they are unaware of how to effectively exercise their rights to secure appropriate and available emergency medical care; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Legislature further finds that a patient advocate is needed to assist in the effective case management of, and to enhance communication among, patients, family members, and health care providers in emergency situations; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-seventh Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2014, the Senate concurring, that the Director of Health is urged to convene a task force to assess the scope and feasibility of establishing an emergency services patient advocate program to provide assistance to, and advocate on behalf of, patients receiving emergency medical care; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Director of Health or the director's designee serve as the chairperson of the task force; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force consist of the following members:

 

     (1)  The Director of Health or the Director's designee;

 

     (2)  Four representatives from the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, each of whom is to be a resident of one each of the following counties:  City and County of Honolulu, County of Hawaii, County of Kauai, and County of Maui;

 

     (3)  Four representatives from the Subarea Health Planning Councils of the Statewide Health Coordinating Council established under section 323D-13, Hawaii Revised Statutes;

 

     (4)  Three community-patient members who shall be appointed by the Director of Health;

 

     (5)  One representative from the Hawaii Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians;

 

     (6)  One representative of the Emergency Medical Services and Advisory Committee;

 

     (7)  The directors of emergency departments of hospitals located in Hawaii;

 

     (8)  Healthcare Association staff; and

 

     (9)  Individuals with direct experience in patient advocacy; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force:

 

     (1)  Examine and identify current practices in emergency services patient advocacy;

 

     (2)  Assess and identify best practices in emergency services patient advocacy;

 

     (3)  Make recommendations on whether a statewide emergency services patient advocate program is necessary; and

 

     (4)  Make recommendations on whether a statewide emergency services patient advocate program would be cost-effective; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that no member of the task force be subject to chapter 84, Hawaii Revised Statutes, solely because of that member's participation as a member of the task force; and;   

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2015; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be terminated on June 30, 2015; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Healthcare Association of Hawaii, and Chairperson of the Statewide Health Coordinating Council.

Report Title: 

Emergency Services Patient Advocate Program