CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO.174
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2001
H.D. 1
S.D. 1
C.D. 1
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twenty-First State Legislature
Regular Session of 2001
State of Hawaii
President of the Senate
Twenty-First State Legislature
Regular Session of 2001
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the House of Representatives to the amendments proposed by the Senate in H.C.R. No. 129, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:
"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE LEGISLATURE TO ESTABLISH A JOINT LEGISLATIVE ADVISORY PANEL TO REVIEW MANDATED HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS, EXPANSION OF HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS, AND HEALTH CARE REGULATION,"
having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final adoption of this concurrent resolution in an amended form.
The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to request the Legislature to establish a joint legislative advisory panel to review mandated health insurance benefits, expansion of health care providers, and health care regulation.
Your Committee on Conference finds that the cost of health care in Hawaii is rising alarmingly as mandated health insurance benefits constantly expand. More health care providers are added to the eligible provider list and new regulations are passed each year, placing an increasing financial burden on Hawaii's citizens. This concurrent resolution aims to provide for an assessment of the social and financial impact of health care costs.
Your Committee on Conference further finds that prescription drugs play an integral role in the overall issue of health care. Prescription drug treatments are of the utmost importance to many people, and can have great preventive benefits that cut down on health costs in the long run.
Your Committee on Conference has amended this concurrent resolution by:
(1) Changing the joint legislative advisory panel to a mandated benefit advisory task force to be convened by the Insurance Commissioner;
(2) Requesting the Legislative Reference Bureau to conduct a study on the feasibility of a state pharmaceutical assistance program;
(3) Changing the title of the concurrent resolution to read: "REQUESTING THE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER TO CONVENE A MANDATED BENEFIT ADVISORY TASKFORCE AND REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE FEASIBILITY OF A STATE PHARMACEUTICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM;" and
(4) Making technical, nonsubstantive changes for purposes of style and clarity.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 129, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 129, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, C.D. 1.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:
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____________________________ DAVID M. MATSUURA Chair |
____________________________ NATHAN SUZUKI, Co-Chair |
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___________________________ BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Co-Chair |
___________________________ MICHAEL Y. MAGAOAY, Co-Chair |