STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1304-16

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2016

RE:   S.B. No. 2319

      S.D. 1

      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 S.B. No. 2319, S.D. 1, 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 health insurers, including health benefits plans under the Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund and Medicaid managed care programs, to cover reimbursement to a prescribing health care provider or dispensing entity for contraceptive supplies that are intended to last for up to a 12-month period for an insured.

The Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii, American Association of University Women, LGBT Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Hawaii Public Health Association, Hawaii Women's Coalition, and Hawaii State Democratic Women's Caucus testified in support of this measure.  The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs and Hawaii Medical Service Association testified in support of the intent of this measure.  The Department of Budget and Finance, Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund, and Department of Human Services provided comments on this measure.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     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 S.B. No. 2319, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2319, S.D. 1, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

ANGUS L.K. McKELVEY, Chair