STAND. COM. REP. NO.  514

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2019

 

RE:   H.B. No. 469

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 469, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEARING AIDS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to require health insurance coverage in the State for hearing aids for all types of hearing loss.

 

     The Oahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, Policy Advisory Board for Elderly Affairs, Maui Economic Opportunity Inc., Hawaii Hears, and many individuals testified in support of this measure.  The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Department of the Attorney General, Disability and Communication Access Board, Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, and Hawaii Medical Service Association provided comments.

 

     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 H.B. No. 469, 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,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

ROY M. TAKUMI, Chair