WHEREAS, associations of small businesses find it difficult to obtain health insurance to cover the employees of the individual businesses that comprise the associations; and

WHEREAS, these associations do not readily fit into the present categories of groups of persons that are eligible for blanket or group health insurance under the insurance code; and

WHEREAS, providing health insurance coverage to employees is a required cost of doing business in the State under the Hawaii Prepaid Health Care Act; and

WHEREAS, the success or failure of a business is partly dependent upon the minimization of costs and ability to choose the most cost-effective means of operating; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2003, that the Insurance Commissioner is respectfully requested to propose changes to the Insurance Code and related laws to allow associations of small businesses to obtain health insurance coverage for the employees of the businesses; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the Insurance Commissioner.

Report Title:

Health Care Insurance Hui