STAND. COM. REP. NO.  644-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

RE:   H.B. No. 1895

      H.D. 2

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 1895, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to expand access to prescription contraceptives by requiring insurers to cover the contraceptive supplies dispensed in the subsequent prescription after an initial prescription in an amount intended to last for up to twelve months.

The American Association of University Women of Hawaii, Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii, LGBT Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, CVS Health, Hawaii Public Health Association, and numerous individuals testified in support of this measure.  The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs testified in support of the intent of this measure.  The American Council of Life Insurers testified in opposition to this measure.  The Department of Human Services, Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund Board of Trustees, and Chamber of Commerce Hawaii provided comments on this measure.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Specifying that the coverage for contraceptives shall also include contraceptive supplies dispensed on site by a provider if the contraceptives are available; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style, including a technical amendment to clarify that disability insurance is excluded from the coverage requirements imposed by this measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1895, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1895, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

ANGUS L.K. McKELVEY, Chair