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.
The proposed mechanism for distributing premiums to primary care providers is significant as it seeks to improve the sustainability of primary care practices within Hawaii. By ensuring that a consistent income flow is directed to these physicians, the resolution encourages them to stay in practice and address the local shortage. The 12% allocation from member-patient premium payments is designed to relieve financial pressures on physicians, allowing them to focus on patient care without the stress of unstable funding.
Senate Resolution 199 (SR199) requests the Hawaii Employer-Union Benefits Trust Fund Board of Trustees and the Department of Human Services Med-Quest Division to ensure that 12% of monthly insurance premium payments are paid directly to the respective primary care provider of each member-patient. The resolution is a response to the ongoing shortage of primary care physicians in Hawaii, which is attributed to the state's high cost of living and business operations. By channeling part of the premium payments to primary care providers, the resolution aims to create a consistent funding stream necessary for these providers to maintain their operations and support patient care.
While SR199 is framed as a step towards addressing the needs of primary care providers, it might also raise concerns around the obligations of health plans and the potential for increased costs to patients. Stakeholders including healthcare providers and insurers may engage in discussions regarding the fairness and practicality of implementing such a funding model. Potential resistance could arise from those concerned that the resolution does not adequately address the broader systemic issues contributing to the primary care physician shortage.