STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1213

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 56

       H.D. 3

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committees on Health and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Affordable Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 56, H.D. 3, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to ensure that all residents of Hawaii have health insurance coverage through a single payer health insurance system.

     Specifically, this measure establishes that the Hawaii Health Commission shall be responsible for the development of a comprehensive health plan for the State.  The Commission is to determine future capacity needs of health care providers, facilities, equipment, and support service providers.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from Healthcare Association of Hawaii, the Kokua Council, the Hawaii Government Employees Association, the Political Action Committee for Elections of the National Association of Social Workers, and three individuals.  The ILWU Local 42 and the Mayor of the County of Hawaii submitted testimony in support of the intent of this measure.  Testimony in opposition was received from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, the Department of Budget and Finance, Hawaii Medical Service Association, and the Hawaii Medical Association.

     Your Committees find that an increasing number of residents in the State are uninsured.  With the escalating costs of health care, long-term care, insurance premiums, and prescription drugs, a solution needs to be implemented soon so that the most vulnerable populations are assured of quality health care now and in the future.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by deleting the provisions regarding waivers and adopting rules.

     Your Committees have further amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive changes for the purposes of clarity and style.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Affordable Housing that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 56, H.D. 3, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 56, H.D. 3, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Health and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Affordable Housing,

____________________________ BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair

____________________________ DAVID Y. IGE, Chair