STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3204

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2539

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 2539, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Require health insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations to provide coverage for a comprehensive category of reproductive health services, drugs, devices, products, and procedures; and

(2) Prohibit discrimination in the provision of reproductive health care services.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawai‘i State Commission on the Status of Women; Hawaii Women's Coalition; Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii; LGBT Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii; Save Medicaid Hawaii; American Association of University Women of Hawaii; We Are One, Inc.; Common Cause Hawaii; Community Alliance on Prisons; Pono Hawai‘i Initiative; American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; Hawai‘i Children's Action Network Speaks!; Women's Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii; and five individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaii Family Forum and Roman Catholic Church in the State of Hawaii. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Department of the Attorney General, Hawai‘i Civil Rights Commission, Hawaii Medical Service Association, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, Hawaii Association of Health Plans, and American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai‘i.

Your Committee finds that gaps in coverage and reproductive health care exist despite the State's long-time advocacy for the advancement of reproductive rights. Comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care, without discrimination, is essential for the health and economic security of the people of Hawaii. This measure would ensure comprehensive coverage for the full spectrum of sexual and reproductive health care services, including family planning and abortion, for all of Hawaii's people.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2539, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

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KARL RHOADS, Chair