STAND. COM. REP. NO. 206

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: H.B. No. 1482

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 1482 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MEDICAL SAVINGS ACCOUNTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to allow insurers to offer high-deductible health insurance policies in conjunction with medical savings accounts (MSA).

A concerned individual testified in support of this bill. HMSA testified in support of the bill's intent. The Royal State National Insurance Company testified in support with an amendment. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs supported the bill's intent but opposed the bill.

Your Committee finds that this bill will provide the ability to establish an MSA and encourages individuals to participate in establishing a payment plan and system to cover their own health expenses. This plan allows individuals to increase their level of personal responsibility regarding their health care costs, and also provides for the payment of health care costs that would not normally be covered by standard insurance policies.

 

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1482 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

 

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

 

____________________________

DENNIS A. ARAKAKI, Chair