STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1181-10

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2010

 

RE:   S.B. No. 2494

      S.D. 2

      H.D. 2

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 2494, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this bill is to:

 

     (1)  Provide continuity in health care by requiring the Board of Trustees (Board) of the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund (EUTF) to offer an eligible employee-beneficiary or dependent-beneficiary, coverage for prescription drug benefits that is identical to the coverage provided under the employee-beneficiary's or dependent-beneficiary's current plan (Part I); and

 

     (2)  Improve access to the full range of health care services to Medicaid and QUEST members, by prohibiting the Department of Human Services (DHS) from requiring:

 

          (A)  Approval from DHS for a health plan under Medicaid or QUEST programs to deliver services using a telehealth service; or

 

          (B)  In-person visits to qualify any telehealth service for coverage under Medicaid or QUEST programs (Part II).

     The Hawaii Government Employees Association, AFSCME Local 152, AFL-CIO; Mental Health America of Hawaii; and American Cancer Society Hawaii Pacific, Inc. testified in support of this bill.  The Department of Budget and Finance and DHS opposed this measure.  The Department of the Attorney General, Hawaii Medical Association, Hawaii Medical Service Association, Hawaii Association of Health Plans, and informedRx offered comments.

 

     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 S.B. No. 2494, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

 

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

 

 

		____________________________ MARCUS R. OSHIRO, Chair