THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	41
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2012
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

 

Requesting the insurance commissioner to create a working group to study ways to increase competition in Hawaii's health insurance market.

 

WHEREAS, the availability of affordable health insurance is of critical importance to all of Hawaii's residents; and

 

     WHEREAS, a significant percentage of Hawaii's population does not have health insurance; and

 

     WHEREAS, employers and individuals who purchase health insurance must pay high premiums that are increased on a frequent basis; and

 

     WHEREAS, health care providers in Hawaii are reimbursed by insurers at lower rates than their counterparts on the mainland, and this results in the loss of doctors and providers in the State; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii's market for health insurance is dominated by a small number of health insurers; and

 

     WHEREAS, the cost of health insurance premiums to consumers would decrease if there existed greater competition among health insurers caused by a larger number of health insurers offering products in Hawaii's market; and

 

     WHEREAS, in addition to lower premium costs for consumers, health care providers would benefit from higher reimbursement rates caused by the presence of more health insurers in Hawaii; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2012, that the Insurance Commissioner is requested to form a working group to study ways to increase competition in Hawaii's health insurance market; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Insurance Commissioner is requested to include as working group members:

 

(1)  The Insurance Commissioner, who shall serve as chair;

 

(2)  The Director of Health;

 

(3)  The Director of Human Services;

 

(4)  Representatives of the health care provider community; and

 

(5)  Consumer stakeholders; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to:

 

(1)  Review conditions in the health insurance market in Hawaii;

 

(2)  Review existing laws and policies relating to health insurers in Hawaii;

 

(3)  Recommend strategies to attract additional health insurers to enter Hawaii's insurance market;

 

(4)  Recommend innovative and affordable new insurance products; and

 

(5)  Model the effect of additional health insurers in Hawaii on premium rates and provider reimbursement rates; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to report its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2013; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Insurance Commissioner; Director of Health; and the Director of Human Services.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Insurance Commissioner; Working Group; Increase Competition in Hawaii's Health Insurance Market