STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1993

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 912

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 912, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to help ensure that the medical bills of seriously injured employees are paid in a timely manner.

Specifically, this measure:

(1) Requires an employer to pay for all medical services relating to an employee's compensable injury and the employee's rehabilitation within sixty days of receipt of the bill for services; and

(2) Establishes a process for employers to dispute the payment of an employee's medical bill.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations and Automated HealthCare Solutions.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Insurers Council.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the City and County of Honolulu, Work Star Injury Recovery Center, and Hawaiian Electric Company.

Your Committee finds that ongoing investigations of pending workers' compensation claims delay care and compensation to injured employees. Your Committee further finds that establishing a deadline by which an employer must pay for medical expenses will ensure that medical services are paid for in a timely manner and that employees receive the care and financial assistance that they need.

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 H.B. No. 912, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair