Report Title:

Health Insurance; Unemployed Individuals; Temporary Coverage

Description:

Provides temporary health insurance for unemployed persons who lost their health insurance. (SD1)

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1225

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

RELATING TO TEMPORARY HEALTH INSURANCE FOR UNEMPLOYED PERSONS.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The current concern with air travel, which can be attributed to the events of September 11, 2001, has devastated tourism, the State's primary industry, and the ripple effect has been felt in all sectors of our economy.

The downturn in our visitor industry has caused significant numbers of our residents to be victims of employment furloughs, layoffs, reduced work hours, and terminations. While these former employees may obtain some financial relief through unemployment insurance benefits, they may not, for financial or other reasons, be able to continue their health care insurance coverage.

Although preliminary reports by economic analysts and experts appear to indicate that the State is heading towards slow economic recovery, global events continue to threaten this trend and cast a shadow of uncertainty on the economic future of many residents of the State. The legislature finds that by assisting those in need through the maintenance of health insurance, the economic impact of having a large population of medically uninsured persons will be lessened.

The purpose of this Act is to help unemployed persons to maintain health care coverage by providing a temporary program of health insurance.

SECTION 2. There is established the temporary health insurance for unemployed persons program to provide temporary health care coverage for persons who have lost employment on or after September 11, 2001.

To be eligible to participate in this program the person shall:

(1) Have lost the person's health insurance as a result of a furlough, layoff, reduced work hours, or termination of employment on or after September 11, 2001;

(2) Not be eligible for any group health insurance coverage from another source; and

(3) Agree to pay for the costs of the person's coverage premium.

This program shall have a benefit package similar to the basic benefits provided in the department of human services' QUEST-Net program and shall be administered by the department of human services.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general funds of the State of Hawaii the sum of $      or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2003-2004 and the sum of

$      or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2004-2005 for administration of the program established by this Act.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2003.