SR 199: Requesting the Hawaii Employer-Union Benefits Trust Fund Board of Trustees and Department of Human Services Med-Quest Division to ensure that all offered health plans provide twelve per cent of monthly insurance premium payments directly to each respective member-patient's primary care provider.

SENATE RESOLUTION

Requesting the Hawaii Employer-Union Benefits Trust Fund Board of Trustees and Department of Human Services Med-Quest Division to ensure that all offered health plans provide twelve per cent of monthly insurance premium payments directly to each respective member-patient's primary care provider.

     WHEREAS, there is a shortage of primary care physicians in the State; and

     WHEREAS, the shortage of primary care physicians is partly due to Hawaii's high cost of living and business costs; and

     WHEREAS, a consistent funding stream would help primary care providers stay afloat and continue operating; and

     WHEREAS, patients already pay monthly premiums for health insurance; and

     WHEREAS, part of the patient premium payments could be used as a consistent funding mechanism for primary care providers; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, that the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund Board of Trustees and Med-QUEST Division of the Department of Human Services are requested to ensure that twelve per cent of monthly premium payments for health insurance are paid directly to each respective member-patient's primary care provider; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the twelve per cent of monthly insurance premiums is requested to be paid to primary care providers without regard to actual services received by the member-patient; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Director of Human Services, Med-QUEST Division Administrator, and Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund.

Report Title:

Healthcare; Health Insurance; Primary Care Physicians; DHS; EUTF; Med-QUEST; Premiums