Psychology and medical nominees express caution on interstate licensing compacts, cite training and cultural concerns

Several nominees for psychology and medical boards described workforce challenges and gave cautious responses when asked about interstate licensing compacts.

Senator Awa told nominees that "we have a real shortage in psychologists" and asked where nominees would stand on compacting licensure to increase practitioner supply. Sean Scanlan said he might have to recuse in certain compact-related decisions because of his ties to a university that trains local students and emphasized that expanding local training programs was a priority. Sherry Tahi, a clinical psychologist nominated to a board, said she was concerned about "cultural sensitivity and awareness of our community" if Hawaii were to adopt broader compacts and said she would need additional time to consider such policies.

Dr. Bob Ing (medical board nominee) described limited local changes following an enacted "doctors' compact" and credited telemedicine with improving access to specialty care in some cases. He told the committee he had seen "not a lot of change" from the compact in day-to-day access on Kauai but said telemedicine remains an important tool. Committee members noted the legislature previously authorized temporary licensing measures intended to address backlog issues while broader compact proposals are considered.

Nominees generally emphasized the balance between expanding access to care and ensuring local cultural competence and quality; several said they would recuse from decisions where personal or institutional interests could create conflicts.