STAND. COM. REP. NO.1562
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2003
RE: S.C.R. No. 84
S.D. 1
Honorable Robert Bunda
President of the Senate
Twenty-Second State Legislature
Regular Session of 2003
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 84, S.D. 1, entitled:
"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON HEALTH INSURANCE MARKET CONDITIONS,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to request the Auditor to conduct a comparative study of Hawaii's health insurance market conditions with the rest of the nation.
Specifically, this resolution requests the Auditor's study to include:
(1) A comparative analysis of Hawaii's health insurance market versus health insurance markets in similarly populated states on the mainland;
(2) A comparative analysis of Hawaii's health insurers versus health insurers on the mainland with regard to whether each is organized as a nonprofit or for-profit entity;
(3) A determination on whether the State's population base is adequate to attract other health insurers into the State's health insurance market;
(4) A determination on how important competition is in reducing health insurance costs for consumers in Hawaii;
(5) A determination on whether for-profit health insurers would be able to compete favorably in Hawaii;
(6) A determination on whether having a health insurance market where a single health insurance provider dominates the health insurance market is beneficial for consumers;
(7) A determination of the barriers faced by insurers seeking to enter the Hawaii health insurance market; and
(8) A determination on whether increased competition in the State's health insurance market would benefit consumers, and if determined to be beneficial, a recommendation on how to attract health insurers to the State to increase competition.
The Insurance Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs is requested to assist in gathering and supplying information and the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to assist in drafting any legislation proposed by the Auditor.
Your Committee finds that a comparative study of Hawaii's health insurance market conditions may assist the State in reducing health insurance costs while maintaining a high level of health benefits coverage.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 84, S.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,
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____________________________ BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair |
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