STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1346

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   S.B. No. 287

      S.D. 1

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 287, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require that all health insurers, including those that offer benefits through the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund, publicly disclose all medical policies used in preauthorization decisions, medical services that may be subject to preauthorization review, preauthorization application procedure, preauthorization determination criteria, and appeals process.

The Hawaii Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association testified in support of this measure.  The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs testified in support of the intent of this measure.  The Hawaii Association of Health Plans testified in opposition to this measure.  The Hawaii Medical Service Association provided comments.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by changing its effective date to July 1, 2059, to facilitate further discussion.

     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. 287, S.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. 287, S.D. 1, H.D. 1.

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

____________________________

ROY M. TAKUMI, Chair