HI SCR23

Urges the Department of Health to amend Hawaii Administrative Rules section 11-93-8 to allow licensed dietitians to independently prescribe modified diets and plan therapeutic diets in hospital settings.

Permits qualified dietitians privileged by hospitals to write diet orders without requiring physician supervision or approval, aligning with 2014 federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rules.

Modifies section 11-93-8(c) to allow modified diets to be prescribed by either a patient's physician or a qualified dietitian privileged by the hospital.

Modifies section 11-93-8(d) to require therapeutic diets to be planned by a licensed dietitian, either as prescribed by a physician or independently if the dietitian is privileged by the hospital.

Addresses Hawaii's health professional shortage area status by reducing physician workload and allowing dietitians to focus on their area of expertise in nutrition care.