STAND. COM. REP. NO.  708

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2015

RE:   H.B. No. 261

      H.D. 2

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 261, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to ensure transparency of prescription drug benefits and assist consumers with making more informed choices about health care coverage by requiring health insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations to post and update information on drug formularies on their websites.

The Hawaii Medical Association and American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network testified in support of this measure.  The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Hawaii Medical Service Association, and Kaiser Permanente provided comments on this measure.  

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 261, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair