HI SCR146

Requests the Legislative Reference Bureau to conduct a study on state authority to allow collective negotiation between physicians and health care insurers.

Study should examine Alaska's law authorizing physician collective negotiation, the Parker immunity doctrine and its current legal status, and statutory or policy implementations by other states regarding physician collective negotiation.

Background notes Hawaii faces a severe physician shortage, with an estimated gap of 1,008 physicians, with shortages ranging from 20% on Oahu to 53% on Hawaii island as of 2020.

Identifies Hawaii's highly concentrated health insurance market (one insurer controlling 67% of market, second largest at 21%) as a major factor in low physician compensation and inability to recruit and retain doctors.

Report findings and recommendations must be submitted to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the convening of the 2022 Regular Session.