HB1338.DOC

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1338
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that there is a crucial need for access to health care in the State that is not being met by the federal or state government, health care providers, or insurance programs. The medical rate of inflation exceeds wage growth and the overall rate of inflation, making it more difficult for individuals to keep up with the rising costs of even the most basic health care. The legislature further finds that the health care crisis in Hawaii worsens as more and more people lose jobs and, consequently, their health insurance coverage.

The legislature finds that uninsured individuals tend to be sicker and die earlier than individuals with insurance because they delay seeking treatment and have their illnesses diagnosed at later stages. Uninsured persons often rely on the provision of basic health care in emergency rooms. This practice increases medical malpractice insurance costs for physicians and hospitals, impedes access to hospitals and emergency rooms for other patients who are acutely ill, and leads to attrition among physicians and an inability to recruit new physicians to the State.

The legislature finds that the coordination of a single- payor, state-operated insurance system for health care for every resident may alleviate many existing problems and may be achievable with the coordination of the department of health, state and county health programs, health care providers, and insurance programs to consolidate funding sources and create economies of scale in providing health care services.

The purpose of this Act is to direct the department of health to study the delivery of health care in Hawaii and the feasibility of a single-payor health care system.

SECTION 2. No later than January 1, 2010, the department of health shall prepare a study of health care delivery in Hawaii that addresses:

(1) Improving access to care for all residents;

(2) Methods to improve overall health of residents;

(3) Measures to reduce the costs of health care coverage; and

(4) Feasibility of a single-payor health care system.

SECTION 3. The department of health shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2011.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________