STAND. COM. REP. NO.  43

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 56

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 56 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to advance initiatives to provide health care insurance for all Hawaii residents by establishing the Hawaii Health Commission (Commission) to develop a health plan allowing all individuals in the state health care coverage. The Commission will specify:

     (1)  Eligibility for the health plan;

     (2)  All reimbursable services under the plan;

     (3)  All approved providers of services under the plan;

     (4)  A method to evaluate the health care provided under and the cost-effectiveness of all aspects of the plan; and

     (5)  A budget for the plan.

     The National Association of Social Workers – Hawaii Chapter, National Alliance on Mental Illness Oahu, Kokua Council, and several concerned individuals supported this bill.  A concerned individual supported this measure with amendments.  The Hawaii Government Employees Association supported the intent of this bill.  The Hawaii Medical Association opposed this measure.  The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and concerned individuals submitted comments on this bill.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

(1)  Placing the Commission within the Department of Budget and Finance for administrative purposes;

(2)  Increasing the number of Commission members from five to nine;

(3)  Providing that the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate will each submit a list of three nominees to be appointed as members of the Commission;

(4)  Deleting term limits for the Commission members;

(5)  Clarifying that a minimum of five members constitutes a quorum to take action by the Commission;

(6)  Authorizing the Commission to seek waivers of federal law, rule, or regulation;

(7)  Deleting the June 30, 2010, sunset date; and

(8)  Making technical, nonsubstantive changes for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 56, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 56, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

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

____________________________

JOSHUA B. GREEN, M.D., Chair