STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2900

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 1964

       H.D. 2

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 1964, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to limit the out-of-pocket costs for cancer treatments under health insurance plans.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance, Hawaii Medical Association, American Cancer Society, HMSA, and Kaiser Permanente Hawaii.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

     Your Committee finds that cancer treatments pose a significant financial burden.  The American Cancer Society estimates that one in five cancer patients may use up all or most of the individual's life savings in paying for treatment.  Furthermore, patients are sometimes forced to make treatment choices based on cost, rather than efficacy.  Your Committee consequently finds that efforts to limit the financial toll on patients seeking treatment for cancer are in the interest of the State and its residents.

     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. 1964, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection.

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

____________________________

JOSH GREEN, M.D., Chair