STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2548

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 2319

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 2319, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to require health insurers, including health benefits plans under the Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund and Medicaid managed care programs, to cover reimbursement for contraceptive supplies that are intended to last for up to a twelve-month period for an insured.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the American Association of University Women, Hawaii; Hawaii Public Health Association; Hawaii Women's Coalition; Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence; Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women; Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii; Hawaii Medical Association; CVS Health; and three individuals.

     Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services and the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund.

     Your Committee finds that statewide efforts to expand women's access to prescription contraceptives, including long-acting reproductive contraceptives, have been shown to help decrease unplanned pregnancies.

     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. 2319, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

________________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair