STAND. COM. REP. NO. 338-00

                                 Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                   , 2000

                                 RE: H.B. No. 2833
                                     H.D. 2




Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2000
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce, to which
was referred H.B. No. 2833, H.D. 1, entitled: 

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

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to permit an insured to
direct an insurer to reimburse a dental provider, regardless of
whether the provider is a participating provider with the
insurer.

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the
Hawaii Dental Association, Kaneohe Family Dental Care, Stephen K.
Miyagi, D.D.S., Neil C. Nunokawa, D.D.S., and a concerned
citizen.

     Testimony in opposition to this measure was submitted by
HGEA/AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO, Hawaii Medical Service
Association, Liberty House, and Legislative Information Services
of Hawaii.

     Your Committee has strong concerns regarding the impact that
this measure will have on health care costs.  Nevertheless, this
measure raises important issues that merit further consideration.
Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure to leave the
effective date blank, thereby ensuring that discussions on this
bill will continue. 


 
 
 
                                 STAND. COM. REP. NO. 338-00
                                 Page 2

 
     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce that is attached to
this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and
purpose of H.B. No. 2833, 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. 2833, H.D. 2.

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



                                   ______________________________
                                   RON MENOR, Chair