HI HCR210

Department of Health is requested to convene a working group to examine overlaps and conflicts among Hawaii's patient care directives, including physician orders for life sustaining treatment, "do not resuscitate" orders, and advance health care directives.

Working group is to include representatives from the University of Hawaii Elder Law Program, City and County of Honolulu Emergency Services Department, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Kokua Mau Inc., Hawaii State Bar Association Elder Law Section, and Hawaii State Bar Association Probate and Estate Section.

Director of Health must submit the working group's report with findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to address inadequacies and conflicts among patient care directives to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the 2011 Regular Session convenes.

Request stems from Act 186 (Session Laws of Hawaii 2009) relating to physician orders for life sustaining treatment and concerns that multiple overlapping statutes may cause confusion regarding end-of-life decisions.