Bill > HB1279

This bill establishes a new full-time medical education liaison position within the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine to address gaps in specialty healthcare across Hawaii, particularly in underserved and remote areas. The liaison will be responsible for supporting programs like Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes), a telemedicine model that helps primary care providers develop expertise in managing complex medical conditions. Specifically, the liaison's duties will include organizing statewide sessions, coordinating communications between healthcare providers and specialists, developing strategies to expand program reach, assisting with data collection and analysis, and performing other tasks to support these medical education programs. The bill appropriates funding for both the new position (an unspecified amount) and $200,000 for supporting specialist mentorship and guidance programs in each of the fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027. The legislation aims to improve healthcare delivery by helping primary care providers in rural areas access specialist knowledge and support without requiring costly and inconvenient travel to urban medical centers.

Education

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1279&year=2026