STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2084

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2819

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 2819 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to require all managed care plans to provide health insurance premium information to the Insurance Commissioner upon request and to require the Insurance Commissioner to publish representative annual premiums annually.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Hawaii Medical Service Association, Hawai‘i Primary Care Association, and one individual.

     Your Committee finds that the Insurance Commissioner is able to collect and create motor vehicle and home insurance premium comparison sheets that enable the public to shop for and compare these policies.  This measure establishes similar requirements for the submission of health insurance premium information to the Insurance Commissioner and requires the Insurance Commissioner to publish representative premium information annually and electronically, such as through a premium comparison sheet for health insurance premiums.

     Your Committee further finds that the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 mandates individuals to acquire health care coverage or face a penalty.  The State's Prepaid Health Care Act also requires many employers to provide prepaid health care plans to certain types of employees.  This measure affords individuals and small businesses the opportunity to review and compare health premiums from all health insurers, thereby helping Hawaii consumers make informed decisions when purchasing required health insurance.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2819 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

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

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair