STAND. COM. REP. NO. 338-18

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2018

RE: H.B. No. 1778

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 1778, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO WORKERS' COMPENSATION MEDICAL BENEFITS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to provide firefighters with improved access to comprehensive medical coverage for certain diseases arising out of and in the course of their employment when the workers' compensation claim is accepted or determined to be compensable.

Specifically, this measure:

(1) Requires private health care plans to pay for or provide medical care, services, and supplies to injured employees for controverted claims, subject to reimbursement by the employer of the employee for whom the claim is accepted or determined to be compensable; and

(2) Increases an employer's liability for medical costs for certain diseases, including diseases of certain organs.

The Hawaii State Fire Council; Honolulu Fire Department; Hawaii Fire Department; Hawaii State Fire Council; Mayor of the County of Hawaii; Hawaii Insurers Council; Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii; and Hawaii Fire Fighters Association, Local 1463, IAFF, AFL-CIO supported this measure. The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations provided comments.

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. 1778, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

ROY M. TAKUMI, Chair