Hawaii-2010-SB1205-Introduced

S.B. NO.	1205

Report Title:

Health Insurance

Description:

Provides temporary health insurance for unemployed persons who lost their health insurance.

SECTION 1. Current economic conditions, both nationally and worldwide, have had a tremendous affect on the State's primary industry, tourism, and has caused a ripple effect that has been felt in all sectors of our economy.

The downturn in our visitor industry, as well as our economy in general, has caused significant numbers of our residents to be victims of employment furloughs, layoffs, reduced work hours, and terminations. While these former employees may obtain some financial relief through unemployment insurance benefits, they may not, for financial or other reasons, be able to continue their health care insurance coverage.

Moreover, global events continue to affect our already tenuous economic situation. Although the state, and our nation, will once again experience prosperous times, our economic future is uncertain for the foreseeable future. The legislature finds that by assisting those in need through the maintenance of health insurance, the economic impact of having a large population of medically uninsured persons will be lessened.

The purpose of this Act is to help unemployed persons to maintain health care coverage by providing a temporary program of health insurance.

SECTION 2. There is established in the department of human services the temporary health insurance for unemployed persons program to provide temporary health care coverage for persons who have lost employment.

To be eligible to participate in this program the person shall:

(1) Have lost the person's health insurance as a result of a furlough, layoff, reduced work hours, or termination of employment;

(2) Not be eligible for any health insurance coverage from another source; and

(3) Agree to pay for the costs of the person's coverage premium.

This program shall have a benefit package similar to the basic benefits provided in the department of human services' QUEST-Net program and shall be administered by the department of human services.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general funds of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2009-2010 and the sum of

$ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2010-2011 for administration of the program established by this Act.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2009.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009
STATE OF HAWAII