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 rural and remote areas. The liaison will support programs like Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes), a telehealth model that connects specialized medical expertise with primary care providers. The liaison's specific responsibilities include organizing statewide sessions, coordinating communications between healthcare providers and specialists, developing strategies to expand program reach, assisting with data collection and analysis, and supporting program operations. The bill appropriates funds for both the new position (a full-time equivalent or 1.0 FTE) and to support specialist mentorship and guidance programs, with $200,000 allocated for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027. The legislation aims to improve healthcare delivery by helping primary care providers develop expertise in managing complex conditions and reducing the need for costly travel to urban medical centers, with a particular focus on specialties like endocrinology, rheumatology, gastroenterology, and behavioral health.

Education

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1279&year=2025