STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2121

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2108

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Human Services and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 2108 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH CARE ASSISTANCE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Department of Human Services to provide health care premium assistance for individuals at various income ranges up to three hundred percent of the federal poverty level.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from Ho‘omanapono Political Action Committee and two individuals. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services.

Your Committees find that health care premiums in the State have drastically increased and are expected to rise in the next few years. Your Committees further find that in 2015, health care costs accounted for 14.7 percent of a resident's income. Rising premium costs, along with other necessary expenses, have increased the cost of living in the State, particularly for middle- and low-income families and individuals. This measure provides necessary financial relief for these families and individuals.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2108 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Human Services and Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health,

________________________________ ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair

________________________________ JOSH GREEN, Chair