HI HR99

Requests the Board of Nursing and Hawaii Medical Board to convene a working group to assess health care access gaps and evaluate the role advanced practice registered nurses could play in addressing these gaps.

Working group must identify gaps in health care access, particularly on neighbor islands and in rural communities, and evaluate how advanced practice registered nurses would increase equitable access to these areas.

Working group membership includes the Chairpersons of the Board of Nursing and Hawaii Medical Board (as co-chairs), deans of medical and nursing schools, Director of Health, representatives from major nonprofit health care systems, and designees from the Senate President and House Speaker.

Working group must submit findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the 2023 Regular Session convenes and is requested to dissolve on December 30, 2022.

Addresses Hawaii's physician shortage of 820 statewide, with neighbor islands experiencing shortfalls of 32-44 percent compared to Oahu's 16 percent shortage.