STAND. COM. REP. NO.  613

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 56

      H.D. 2

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 56, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to advance initiatives that provide healthcare insurance for all Hawaii residents by establishing the Hawaii Health Commission (Commission) to develop a health plan covering all individuals in the state.  The Commission will determine:

     (1)  Eligibility for the health plan;

     (2)  All reimbursable services under the plan;

     (3)  All approved providers of services under the plan;

     (4)  A method to evaluate the quality and cost-effectiveness of all aspects of the plan; and

     (5)  A budget for the plan.

The Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Kokua Council, Hawaii Alliance for Retired Americans, National Alliance on Mental Illness-Oahu, National Association of Social Workers–Hawaii Chapter, and several concerned individuals testified in support of this bill.  The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Department of Budget and Finance, and State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company opposed this measure.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

(1)  Inserting a sunset provision for the Commission when the plan has been submitted; and

(2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 56, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 56, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

ROBERT N. HERKES, Chair