STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3779

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.C.R. No. 62

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 62, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL ASSESSMENT OF PROPOSED MANDATORY HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to provide for the assessment of the social and financial effects of the mandatory health insurance coverage for sexual and reproductive health care services proposed by House Bill No. 249, Regular Session of 2021.

More specifically, this measure requests that the Auditor:

(1) Conduct a social and financial assessment of House Bill No. 249, Regular Session of 2021;

(2) Determine whether the proposed mandated benefits provided for in House Bill No. 249, Regular Session of 2021, exceed the essential health benefits under the federal Affordable Care Act;

(3) Research whether mandating the full range of reproductive health services at no cost-share violates section 1303 of the federal Affordable Care Act; and

(4) Submit a report to the Legislature.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Office of the Auditor.

Your Committee notes that pursuant to section 23-51, Hawaii Revised Statutes, before certain legislative measures mandating health insurance coverage may be considered, a Concurrent Resolution shall be adopted requesting the Auditor to conduct a report assessing the social and financial effects of the proposed mandated coverage. Accordingly, your Committee finds that this measure will ensure compliance with this statutory requirement.

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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 62, S.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

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

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair