STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3270

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.B. No. 2581

       H.D. 3

       S.D. 2

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2581, H.D. 3, S.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to determine innovative approaches to providing access to health care in Hawaii.

 

     Specifically, this measure:

 

(1)  Establishes a state innovation waiver task force to develop a health care reform plan for Hawaii that meets requirements for obtaining a state innovation waiver under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA);

 

(2)  Requires the task force to report its findings and recommendations to the Legislature; and

 

(3)  Makes an appropriation for the operations of the task force.

 

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Office of the Governor and The Chamber of Commerce Hawaii.  Hawaii Medical Service Association submitted written comments on the measure.

 

Your Committee finds that states are allowed to apply for and receive innovation waivers from certain health reform requirements of the PPACA.  To receive an innovation waiver, a state must propose an alternative approach to providing health care that is as comprehensive and affordable as the federal requirements.  Your Committee finds that Hawaii has a history of innovation in providing access to health care for its population.  Your Committee believes that an innovation waiver task force would continue to build upon Hawaii's past accomplishments by determining the feasibility of alternative approaches to providing health care in Hawaii's insurance market and preparing a plan and draft application for a state innovation waiver that meets the requirements of the PPACA.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by making a technical amendment to reflect language found in section 1332 of the PPACA providing for applications for state innovation waivers, to take effect for health insurance plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2017.

 

     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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2581, H.D. 3, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2581, H.D. 3, S.D. 2.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair