CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 42-16

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                 , 2016

 

RE:    S.B. No. 2319

       S.D. 1

       H.D. 3

       C.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

 

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

 

Sirs:

 

     Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 2319, S.D. 1, H.D. 3, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE,"

 

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

 

     The purpose of this measure is to require health insurers in the State, including health benefits plans under the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund and Medicaid managed care programs, to cover reimbursement for prescription contraceptive supplies intended to last for up to a twelve-month period for an insured.

 

     Your Committee on Conference finds that insurance companies typically cover a thirty- or ninety-day supply of prescription contraceptives.  However, these coverage requirements may act as a barrier for women, especially those who live in rural areas, frequently travel, are unable to schedule regular visits to health care providers, or are unable to readily pick up their prescriptions.  Your Committee on Conference further finds that providing a greater number of prescription contraceptive supplies at one time is associated with higher continuation rates, fewer pregnancy tests, fewer unplanned pregnancies, and decreased health care costs per woman.  This measure expands access to prescription contraceptives by requiring insurers to cover up to a twelve-month period of prescription contraceptive supplies for an insured.

 

     Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Deleting references to "certified nurse midwife-delivered" medical services, as this is an arcane phrase no longer used by the health care industry;

 

     (2)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2016; provided that the required reimbursement for prescription contraceptive supplies shall apply to policies, contracts, plans, or agreements, including health benefits plans, issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2017; and

 

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2319, S.D. 1, H.D. 3, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2319, S.D. 1, H.D. 3, C.D. 1.

 


Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

 

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

 

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

 

____________________________

DELLA AU BELATTI, Co-Chair

 

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair

____________________________

ANGUS L.K. MCKELVEY, Co-Chair

 

____________________________

SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Co-Chair

____________________________

MATTHEW LOPRESTI, Co-Chair