STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1805-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: S.B. No. 2605

S.D. 2

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 Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 2605, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Beginning January 1, 2026, require health insurers, mutual benefit societies, health maintenance organizations, and health benefits plans under the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund to provide health insurance coverage for various sexual and reproductive health care services;

(2) Require the Insurance Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to submit a report to the Legislature regarding the mandated health insurance coverage; and

(3) Establish a Reproductive Health Care Working Group and require the Working Group to submit reports to the Legislature.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; one member of the Hawai‘i County Council; Indivisible Hawaii Healthcare Team; Stonewall Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i; American Association of University Women of Hawaii; Hawaii Association of Health Plans; AlohaCare; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Professional and Vocational Licensing Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Women's Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i; Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates - Hawaii; Hawaii Medical Service Association; Hawai‘i Section of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; Essential Access Health; and nine individuals.

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 S.B. No. 2605, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair