Bill Text: HI HB1717 | 2018 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To Health.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 8-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-02-05 - Re-referred to HHS, FIN, referral sheet 16 [HB1717 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2018-HB1717-Amended.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1717 |
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TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO HEALTH.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The high cost of and continually rising need for health care in the United States are pressing national concerns. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the United States spent $3,300,000,000,000 on health care in 2016, or $10,348 per person. Health care in America accounts for over 17 per cent of the gross domestic product. The issue of containing health care costs while providing greater health care access and ensuring quality health care to Americans continues to be at the forefront of federal, state, and local efforts.
The legislature finds that the United States Congress, as well as several states, has introduced single-payer health care measures in an effort to provide high-quality, affordable health care to Americans. Single-payer health care is a system in which the government provides nationalized health insurance, sets all fees for medical care, and pays those fees to doctors and hospitals. Under a single-payer health care system, all Americans could get health insurance from a single government plan.
On September 13, 2017, Senator Bernard Sanders of Vermont along with several co-sponsors including both of Hawaii's Senators, introduced S.1804, the Medicare for All Act of 2017, in the United States Congress. S.1804 establishes a national health insurance program administered by the federal government to provide comprehensive protection against the costs of health care and health-related services. The proposed legislation guarantees patients the ability to choose their health care providers and requires comprehensive coverage of hospital services, primary and preventive services, prescription drugs, medical devices, biological products, mental health and substance abuse treatment services, oral healthcare, audiology, and vision services. The federally-administered Medicare-for-all national health insurance program would be implemented over a four-year period.
The purpose of this Act is to investigate strategies for addressing the rising costs of health care by directing the legislative reference bureau to conduct a study on the projected costs and effects to the State of implementing a single-payer health care system similar to that proposed in the federal Medicare for All Act of 2017.
SECTION 2. (a) The legislative reference bureau shall conduct a study on the projected costs and effects to the State of implementing a single-payer health care system similar to that which is proposed in S.1804, the federal Medicare for All Act of 2017, which was introduced in the United States Senate on September 13, 2017.
(b) The study shall include the following components with respect to a single-payer health care system similar to that which is proposed in the federal Medicare for All Act of 2017:
(1) The cost estimate of implementing a single-payer health care system in the State including requirements for planning and implementation;
(2) The cost savings potential of a single-payer health care system in the State;
(3) Potential means of financing for a single-payer health care system in the State; and
(4) The projected effect of a single-payer health care system on health insurance enrollment, employer-union benefits and related issues, prescription drug costs, and financial and social impact on families and businesses in the State.
(c) The director of the legislative reference bureau shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days before the convening of the regular session of 2019.
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 to conduct a study on the costs and effects in the State of implementing a single-payer health care system similar to that which is proposed in S.1804, the Medicare for All Act of 2017.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the legislative reference bureau for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.
Report Title:
Single-Payer Health Care; Report; Appropriation
Description:
Requires the Legislative Reference Bureau to conduct a study on the costs and effects in the State of implementing a single-payer health care system similar to that which is proposed in the federal Medicare for All Act of 2017. Appropriates funds to conduct the study. (HB1717 HD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
