STAND. COM. REP. NO.  117

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2015

RE:   H.B. No. 576

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 576 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE STATE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT INNOVATION WAIVER,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to continue work initiated by the State Innovation Waiver Task Force towards developing a health care reform plan that meets the requirements for obtaining a state innovation waiver that complies with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2009.  Among other things, this bill:

     (1)  Amends the scope of the work of the Task Force in developing the health care reform plan; and

     (2)  Appropriates funds for expenses related to developing the plan to obtain a waiver from the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Hawaii Medical Service Association, The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii, League of Women Voters of Hawaii, Hawaii Primary Care Association, The Queen's Health Systems, and an individual supported this measure.  An individual opposed this measure.  The Department of Health commented on this measure.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1)  Reinstating language that requires the State Innovation Waiver Task Force to:

(A)  Examine the feasibility of alternative approaches to specific health reform requirements contained in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act under the scope of the work of the Task Force in developing the health care reform plan; and

(B)  Examine the feasibility of options for providing affordable insurance coverage for uninsured and underinsured individuals in Hawaii that include innovations to the State's existing Medicaid program;

(2)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion; and

(3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     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. 576, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 576, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

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

____________________________

DELLA AU BELATTI, Chair