Bill Text: HI SB1205 | 2010 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Health Insurance
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2009-05-11 - Carried over to 2010 Regular Session. [SB1205 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2010-SB1205-Amended.html
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S.B. NO. |
1205 |
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S.D. 2 |
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H.D. 1 |
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Report Title:
Health Insurance
Description:
Provides temporary health insurance for unemployed persons who lost their health insurance. (SB1205 HD1)
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
1205 |
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TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009 |
S.D. 2 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
H.D. 1 |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO TEMPORARY HEALTH INSURANCE FOR UNEMPLOYED PERSONS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
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 become victims of employment furloughs, layoffs, reduced work hours, and terminations. While some of those who have lost their jobs 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 foreseeable economic future is uncertain. 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 persons who no longer qualify for health insurance because of loss of full-time employment maintain health care coverage by providing a temporary health insurance program.
SECTION 2. (a) There is established in the department of human services the temporary health insurance for unemployed or underemployed persons program to provide temporary health care coverage for persons who have lost health insurance coverage due to lost employment or reduction in hours.
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.
(b) The director of human services shall submit a report to the legislature not less than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2010 reviewing the effects the temporary health insurance for unemployed and underemployed persons program has had on ensuring the availability of continuous health care for elgible participants.
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; provided that only moneys received by the State and deposited into the state general fund pursuant to the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 may be expended for the purposes of 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, 2090.
