STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1296-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: S.B. No. 2605

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 2605, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Beginning January 1, 2026, require health insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations, and health benefits plans under the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund, to provide health insurance coverage for various sexual and reproductive health care services;

(2) Require the Insurance Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to submit a report to the Legislature regarding the mandated health insurance coverage; and

(3) Establish a Reproductive Health Care Working Group and require the Working Group to submit reports to the Legislature.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations; University of Hawaii Professional Assembly; Indivisible Hawaii Healthcare Team; Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates – Hawaii; Hawaii Medical Service Association; Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO; Stonewall Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi; Women's Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi; Kauai Women's Caucus; Essential Access Health; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; and Professional and Vocational Licensing Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

Your Committee finds that all persons in the State – regardless of income, wealth, or type of insurance – should have access to the full range of preventive sexual and reproductive health services at no cost. Your Committee further finds that the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-148) mandates that coverage include certain preventive sexual and reproductive health services. However, the continued existence of these covered services is at risk with ongoing litigation. As such, this measure codifies the preventive service coverage requirements of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 into state law. Your Committee also finds that the Reproductive Health Care Working Group established by this measure will provide the Legislature with important information regarding barriers to and gaps in reproductive health care in the State.

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 S.B. No. 2605, S.D. 2, 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,

____________________________

MARK M. NAKASHIMA, Chair