STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1064

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2019

RE: H.B. No. 469

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 469, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEARING AIDS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require health insurers in the State to provide coverage for hearing aids for all types of hearing loss in an unspecified minimum amount every 36 months.

The Disability and Communication Access Board, Policy Advisory Board for Elderly Affairs, and several individuals submitted testimony in support of this measure. The Department of the Attorney General, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund, Hawaii Medical Service Association, and Hawaii Association of Health Plans provided comments.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 469, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair