STAND. COM. REP. NO. 876

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 1134

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Health and Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 1134, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PREPAID HEALTH CARE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to eliminate all provisions for and references to the termination of the Hawaii Prepaid Health Care Act, despite anticipated future federal health care reform legislation, to allow the people of Hawaii to have continued access to health care benefits and services.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Hawaii Association of Health Plans, Hawaii Medical Service Association, American Cancer Society, AARP Hawaii, and one private citizen.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, and The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii.

     Your Committees find that although national affordable health care discussions may result in better health care, reforms have yet to materialize, whereas Hawaii's Prepaid Health Care Act has been in effect for almost four decades, and the superior health benefits and services enjoyed by Hawaii residents validates Hawaii's Prepaid Health Care Act as successful legislation that should be retained.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by making this measure effective upon approval.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Commerce and Consumer Protection that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1134, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1134, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Labor.

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

____________________________ ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair

____________________________ JOSH GREEN, M.D., Chair