Bill Text: HI SB1205 | 2010 | Regular Session | Amended

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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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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STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1238

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2009

 

RE:   S.B. No. 1205

      S.D. 2

      H.D. 2

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Labor & Public Employment, to which was referred S.B. No. 1205, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO TEMPORARY HEALTH INSURANCE FOR UNEMPLOYED PERSONS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this bill is to assist unemployed and underemployed persons in maintaining their health insurance coverage by establishing a Temporary Health Insurance for Unemployed and Underemployed Persons Program (Program) within the Department of Human Services (DHS) to provide temporary health care coverage for persons who have lost health insurance coverage due to lost employment or a reduction in hours.

 

     DHS testified in opposition to this bill.

 

     Hawaii, along with the rest of the nation, is currently facing a declining economy, with some of the worst economic conditions being experienced since World War II.  This economic downturn has resulted in significant numbers of employees facing furloughs, layoffs, reduced work hours, and terminations.  Certain economic factors, including unemployment, are experiencing numbers that have not been seen in decades.  With unemployment rates and reduced working hours only expected to increase in the near future, an additional concern for many individuals is the loss of health insurance benefits.  This concern is not only for the employee themselves but also for family members who are covered by an employee's insurance policy, especially those who may need medical attention.  The increased numbers of medically uninsured individuals could also have a significant negative impact on our overall economy.  By establishing the Program to assist these individuals in maintaining health care insurance, not only is the burden for employees lessened but the impacts on our overall economic health are decreased as well.

 

     Although no testimony was received in support of this measure, your Committee feels that the importance of this matter warrants further discussion and consideration.

 

     Your Committee has amended this bill by changing its effective date from July 1, 2090, to upon its approval.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor & Public Employment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1205, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1205, S.D. 2, H.D. 2.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Labor & Public Employment,

 

 

		____________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair