Bill Text: HI SB784 | 2018 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii Senate Bill 784 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Relating To Medicine.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-11-30 - Carried over to 2018 Regular Session. [SB784 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2018-SB784-Introduced.html

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	784
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to medicine.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the United States devotes far more of its economy � 17.4 per cent of its gross domestic product � to health than any other country. In 2013, United States health care spending reached $2,900,000,000,000, or about $9,255 per resident. Chronic diseases have played an important role in this cost escalation, and it is estimated that preventable diseases account for approximately seventy-five per cent of national health expenditures. According to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2010, seven of the top ten causes of death among Americans were from chronic diseases. Heart disease and cancer account for nearly forty-eight per cent of all deaths. The legislature further finds that chronic disease is one component of the overall health and health care cost challenges faced within the country. Changes in nutrition and lifestyle behavior are therefore a key part of the solution to managing chronic disease and moderating future health care costs.

The legislature additionally finds that physicians are uniquely positioned to educate patients about the links among chronic disease, diet, and physical activity. However, fewer than twenty-five per cent of physicians believe they have sufficient training to talk to patients about nutrition or physical activity, and less than one-eighth of medical visits include counseling for nutrition. A 2010 survey of nutrition education in the country's medical schools found that nutrition education was covered inadequately or unevenly throughout all levels of medical training. In addition, more than one-half of medical school graduates do not believe the nutrition education they receive is sufficient for medical practice.

The purpose of this Act is to require the John A. Burns school of medicine to convene a working group to discuss nutrition and lifestyle behavior for the prevention and treatment of chronic disease and report to the legislature prior to the convening of the regular session of 2019.

SECTION 2. (a) The John A. Burns school of medicine shall convene a working group of interested parties to discuss nutrition and lifestyle behavior changes for the prevention and treatment of chronic disease, including exploring the potential benefits of:

(1) Periodically disseminating information and educational material regarding the prevention and treatment of chronic disease, through the application of changes in nutrition and lifestyle behavior, to each licensed physician and surgeon and each hospital in the State; and

(2) Setting content standards for continuing education requirements concerning chronic disease, including appropriate information on prevention of chronic disease, and treatment of patients with chronic disease through changes in nutrition and lifestyle behavior.

(b) The working group shall convene no later than July 1, 2018.

(c) The working group shall 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 2019.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2017.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

John A. Burns School of Medicine; Working Group; Physicians; Chronic Disease; Nutrition and Lifestyle Behavior

Description:

Requires the John A. Burns school of medicine to convene a working group to discuss nutrition and lifestyle behavior for the prevention and treatment of chronic disease. Requires a report to the legislature prior to the convening of the regular session of 2019.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.