THE SENATE
THE TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE
REGULAR SESSION OF 2008
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COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, CONSUMER PROTECTION, AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING |
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Senator Russell S. Kokubun, Chair |
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Senator David Y. Ige, Vice Chair |
NOTICE OF HEARING
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DATE: |
Thursday, February 21, 2008 |
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TIME: |
9:00 am |
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PLACE: |
Conference Room 229 State Capitol 415 South Beretania Street |
A G E N D A
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RELATING TO OSTEOPATHY. Includes doctors of osteopathy in the medical doctors chapter (chapter 453) so that the board of medical examiners may treat medical doctors and doctors of osteopathy in the same manner; repeals osteopathy chapter (chapter 460, Hawaii Revised Statutes). (SD1)
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HTH, CPH |
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RELATING TO NURSING. Provides an additional means to qualify for licensure as a registered nurse by allowing a graduate with a completed portion of a master’s entry program in nursing to apply as a registered nurse by examination. (SD1)
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HTH, CPH |
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RELATING TO GRADUATES OF FOREIGN ACUPUNCTURE PROGRAMS. Requires applicants for acupuncture licensure who graduated from foreign institutes to have their educational information evaluated by a professional crediting evaluator as a prerequisite for taking an exam and getting a license in Hawaii.
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HTH, CPH |
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RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE. Requires that hearing aid devices be included in mandatory insurance coverage for private health insureds. (SD1)
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HSP, CPH |
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RELATING TO THE PATIENTS' BILL OF RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES ACT. Amends the Patients' Bill of Rights and Responsibilities Act by prohibiting certain unfair or deceptive business practices by managed care plans, such as disenrolling a person because of a medical condition. (SD1)
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HTH, CPH |
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RELATING TO INSURANCE. Allows an exception for small insurers with less than five per cent of the health insurance market share to offer different types of benefits in a single unified policy. (SD1)
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HTH, CPH |
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RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE SUPPORT FOR SMALL BUSINESS. Requires group health issuers to offer small group health plans to self-employed individuals who are licensed by the department of commerce and consumer affairs and are located in the group issuer's service areas. Authorizes the insurance commissioner to exempt certain group health plans based on specified criteria. Allows limits on timing of enrollment and reenrollment to control adverse selection and plan costs. (SD1)
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HTH, CPH |
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Decision Making to follow, if time permits.
Persons wishing to testify should submit testimony in one of the following ways at least 24 hours prior to the hearing:
· In person: 1 copy of their testimony to the committee clerk, Room 407, State Capitol.
· By fax: Testimony may be faxed if less than 5 pages in length, to the Senate Sergeant-At-Arms Office at 586-6659 or 1-800-586-6659 (toll free for neighbor islands), at least 24 hours prior to the hearing. When faxing, please indicate to which committee the testimony is being submitted and the date and time of the hearing.
· By Email: Testimony may be emailed if less than 5 pages in length, to testimony@capitol.hawaii.gov. Please indicate to which committee the testimony is being submitted and the date and time of the hearing. Email sent to individual offices or any other Senate office will not be accepted.
If you require special assistance or auxiliary aids or services to participate in the public hearing process (i.e., sign or foreign language interpreter or wheelchair accessibility), please contact the committee clerk 24 hours prior to the hearing so arrangements can be made.
Please note: Documents made available through the Testimony hyperlink(s) above may not be posted until the start of the hearing.
Public Folder. A folder labeled “Public Folder” containing the measures and testimonies for the hearing will be available for shared use by members of the public.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL THE COMMITTEE CLERK AT 586-6760.
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________________________________________ Senator Russell S. Kokubun Chair |
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