STAND. COM. REP. NO.  227

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2011

RE:   H.B. No. 1443

      H.D. 1

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 1443 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to require health insurers to provide coverage with minimal or no co-payments for certain smoking cessation methods, including:

     (1)  Telephone and individual counseling and intervention;

     (2)  Prescription coverage for nicotine replacement products and tobacco cessation medications; and

     (3)  Counseling and medication coverage for smoking cessation attempts.

     The American Cancer Society in Hawaii, American Heart Association, Hawaii COPD Coalition, Papa Ola Lokahi, Hawaii Primary Care Association, and a concerned individual testified in support of this bill.  Kaiser Permanente supported the intent of this measure.  The Coalition for a Tobacco Free Hawaii and several concerned individuals supported this bill with amendments.  The Hawaii Association of Health Plans opposed this measure.  The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and Hawaii Medical Service Association provided comments.

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

     (1)  Removing the requirement that information be provided to encourage insureds to consult with their physician about smoking and tobacco cessation options; and

(2) Adding a requirement that health care coverage must conform to the federal Affordable Care Act.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1443, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1443, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

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

____________________________

RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair