STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1636

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

RE:   S.B. No. 166

      S.D. 1

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 166, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to ensure the most effective methods for treatment of cancer are available to people with limited economic means by requiring health insurance providers that offer coverage for cancer treatment to provide health insurance coverage for all chemotherapy treatment, including orally administered chemotherapy, under the same terms and conditions and at a rate calculated according to the same methods as payment or reimbursement for intravenously administered chemotherapy.

     The American Cancer Society, Filipinos for Affirmative Action, Filipino Coalition for Solidarity, Filipino American Citizens League, United Filipino Council of Hawaii, Oahu Filipino Community Council, Asian American Network for Cancer Awareness Research and Training, Nursing Advocates and Mentors, Inc., and several concerned individuals supported this bill.  Kaiser Permanente Hawaii opposed this measure.  The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Hawaii Association of Health Plans, American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus, and Hawaii Medical Service Association submitted comments.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 166, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

MARCUS R. OSHIRO, Chair