No one stands up for Hawaii’s physicians and patients like the Hawaii Medical Association - A Legislative Update from our Executive Director
The legislative session is over for the year and the HMA was busy working for our physicians.
The HMA was able to defeat three important scope of practice issues.
1. Psychologists – seeking prescriptive priviledges
2. Naturopaths – seeking to prescribe controlled substances and be classified as primary care physicians
3. Chiropractors – seeking expansion of scope in imaging and laboratory testing
4.
The HMA was also active in pursuing administrative simplification with the Department of Human Services.
1. Convinced DHS to develop a single uniform formulary for Medicaid and EUTF insurers
2. The DHS Medical Home Model will center around the patient-physician relationship rather than insurance interests
3.
Several other important HMA-supported bills died in conference, however we are hopeful for a Special Session to be called to consider these:
1. Funding for the Hilo Family Practice Residency program
2. Funding for the John A. Burns School of Medicine
Christopher D. Flanders, D.O.
Executive Director
Hawaii Medical Association