HI SR15

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

Proposes modifying rule (c) to allow modified diets to be prescribed by either the patient's physician or a qualified dietitian privileged by the hospital to do so.

Proposes modifying rule (d) to authorize licensed dietitians to plan therapeutic diets either as prescribed by a physician or as a licensed dietitian privileged by the hospital.

Cites the 2014 federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) rule allowing registered dietitian nutritionists in hospital settings to independently write diet orders without physician supervision or approval.

References Hawaii's status as a health professional shortage area and notes that expanding dietitian authority would reduce physician burden and allow doctors to focus on their areas of expertise.