THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

899

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to medical residency programs.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the State is facing a critical shortage of physicians.  Only twenty per cent of medical school graduates from Hawaii who complete residency training outside the State return to practice medicine in Hawaii.  As medical education in Hawaii is currently structured, the primary care physician workforce supply in the State cannot meet the ongoing shortage.

     The legislature further finds that completion of medical school and residency training in a traditional primary care specialty at the University of Hawaii John A. Burns school of medicine significantly increases the likelihood that a physician will stay to practice in Hawaii.  Native Hawaiians and Pacific islanders in particular are more likely to choose to practice in primary care and work in underserved areas of the State after completing medical school.  Providing opportunities that encourage Hawaii's students to pursue careers in medicine can help to ensure a strong physician workforce and access to quality and culturally competent health care, especially in primary care where physicians are most needed.  Further development of the primary care physician pipeline in the State will help to ensure that Hawaii's medical students will be more likely to stay and practice in Hawaii.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the University of Hawaii family medicine residency program to develop physician residency opportunities throughout the State.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2019-2020 for the University of Hawaii family medicine residency program to establish a consortium of hospitals and other institutions participating in medical training to develop physician residency opportunities throughout the State.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2019.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Medical Education; Physicians; Hospitals; University of Hawaii Family Medicine Residency Program; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii Family Medicine Residency Program to establish a consortium of hospitals and other institutions participating in medical training to develop physician residency opportunities throughout the State.

 

 

 

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