STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1655

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2015

RE:   S.B. No. 1338

      S.D. 2

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 1338, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII HEALTH CONNECTOR,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1)  Authorize the Hawaii Health Connector to offer large group coverage to insurers;

(2)  End the authorization to issue or renew transitional renewal policies after October 1, 2016; and

(3)  Require health insurers to provide notice to group health plans that offer continuation coverage about options to secure affordable coverage under the Hawaii Health Connector, in addition to the requirements under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA).

The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii and a concerned individual opposed this measure.  The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and Hawaii Medical Service Association commented on this measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1338, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair