STAND. COM. REP. NO. 788

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 1240

       S.D. 2

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1240, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PEDIATRIC DENTAL HEALTH COVERAGE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to ensure pediatric dental coverage for all individuals under the age of nineteen years.

     More specifically, this measure requires the Hawaii Health Connector to require all individuals under the age of nineteen to purchase essential health benefits, including pediatric health coverage.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities and Hawaii Medical Service Association.

     Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from Kaiser Permanente Hawaii.

     Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, State Insurance Commissioner.

     Your Committee finds that providing access to dental care services for children is an important health issue for the State.  Studies show that early detection of dental issues and preventative dental care are crucial in preventing long-term and costly health issues.  Accordingly, your Committee believes that this measure will ensure that all children in the State have access to dental benefits insurance coverage.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1)  Replacing the word "ensure" with the word "require";

(2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

(3)  Making technical nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1240, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1240, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair