STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1102-08

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

RE:   S.B. No. 2530

      S.D. 2

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Economic Development & Business Concerns, to which was referred S.B. No. 2530, S.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE SUPPORT FOR SMALL BUSINESS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to increase the availability of health care coverage for sole proprietors in Hawaii by requiring group health issuers to offer small group health plans to self-employed individuals.  This bill also protects against adverse selection by limiting the timing of enrollment and reenrollment in the health plans.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of the measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Tradewind Painting, and Hawaii Medical Services Association.  The Hawaii Association of Realtors and Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii supported the intent of the measure.  Kaiser Permanente offered comments.

     Your Committee finds that this bill will help reduce the number of uninsured among the some 12,000 sole proprietors and independent contractors in Hawaii who are not eligible to apply for coverage as a group.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development & Business Concerns that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2530, S.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development & Business Concerns,

____________________________

KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair