Senators back working group to study an affordable Hawaii health plan with membership additions

The Commerce & Consumer Protection and Health committees recommended passage, with amendments, of SCR 50 / SR 49 to establish a Hawaii health plan working group tasked with designing and recommending a basic, affordable health plan for state residents.

Why it matters: The resolution would create a multi-stakeholder working group to evaluate feasible options for a basic Hawaii health plan and to recommend mechanisms for affordability and availability. Witnesses from health advocacy groups, providers and insurers provided a mix of support and technical comments.

Witnesses who stood on written testimony included representatives from SHIPTA, the Health Care Association of Hawaii, HMSA and other providers. SHIPTA’s speaker said such a plan could reach many uninsured residents but cautioned the group must preserve existing coverage eligibility rules and coordinate with MedQUEST and the Prepaid Health Care Act.

The committees accepted a friendly amendment from the Health Care Association of Hawaii to add MedQUEST, the Department of Labor & Industrial Relations, a Health Care Association representative and a Hawaii Primary Care Association representative to the working group membership.

Decision: The committee voted to pass SCR 50 / SR 49 with the amendments and to request that the working group share findings and recommendations with the Commerce and Consumer Protection committees.

Next steps: With committee passage, the resolution will proceed with the agreed membership additions and requested coordination with state agencies.