STAND. COM. REP. NO. 5-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: H.B. No. 1943

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Labor & Government Operations, to which was referred H.B. No. 1943 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the health benefits plan or plans established by the Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund Board to meet or exceed the requirements of the Prepaid Health Care Act.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, ALF-CIO; and United Public Workers, AFSCME Local 646, AFL-CIO.

Your Committee finds that public employees who select certain medical insurance plans offered by the Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund pay the same monthly employee contribution irrespective of pay. This measure ensures that public employees, regardless of financial status, have the opportunity to maintain and improve their health through access to affordable health care.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor & Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1943, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1943, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Labor & Government Operations,

____________________________

SCOT Z. MATAYOSHI, Chair