HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1810

TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2012

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO THE HAWAII EMPLOYER-UNION HEALTH BENEFITS TRUST FUND.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The purpose of this Act is to address the Hawaii employer-union health benefits trust fund.

     Specifically, this Act requires the board of the trust fund to establish or contract for health benefits plans that impose higher deductibles and co-payments on smokers and other persons of high risk.  The legislature intends that this Act encourage preventative care, promote wellness, and discourage medically unnecessary utilization of health care services.

     The legislature finds that the ultimate goal of this Act is to better control health care costs and, commensurately, health benefits plan costs of the trust fund.

     SECTION 2.  Section 87A-16, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "[[]§87A-16[]]  Health benefits plan; carriers.  (a)  The board shall establish the health benefits plan or plans, which shall be exempt from the minimum group requirements of chapter 431.

     (b)  The board may contract for health benefits plans or provide health benefits through a noninsured schedule of benefits.

     (c)  Beginning January 1, 2014, the board shall require every health benefits plan established or contracted to include higher deductibles and co-payments for tobacco smokers and other persons of high risk that are designed, in compliance with applicable federal and state laws, to encourage preventative health care, promote wellness, and discourage medically unnecessary utilization of health care services.  The requirement of this subsection shall apply to every health benefits plan for active employees and supplemental health benefits plan for retired employees."

     SECTION 3.  The board of trustees of the Hawaii employer-union health benefits trust fund, no later than July 1, 2012, shall commence preparation to implement section 87A-16(c), Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     SECTION 4.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2012.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund; Deductibles, Co-Payments

 

Description:

Requires, no later than 1/1/14, the board of trustees of the Hawaii employer-union health benefits trust fund to require every health benefits plan established or contracted to include higher deductibles and co-payments for tobacco smokers and other persons of high risk.

 

 

 

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