Briefing will address fixes for Connector

The state Legislature is grappling with various issues surrounding the health of the Hawaii Health Connector, the online health insurance marketplace established under the federal Affordable Care Act.

Some of these topics, ranging from governance over the nonprofit agency to the cost of keeping it running, are addressed in bills before the House and Senate, and are likely to come up in an informational briefing set for 3 p.m. Wednesday in Room 325.

Here is a summary of three key bills:

» House Bill 2529, House Draft 2, would reduce the Connector board of directors in size and composition, including moving representatives of the industry to advisory, nonvoting status. Among other changes, it would create a legislative oversight committee to review the financial and operational plans of the Connector for which a sustainability fee could be assessed.

» Senate Bill 2470, Senate Draft 1, also proposes to whittle the size of the board and remove members representing insurers and dental benefit providers. Provisions include allowing the governor to appoint one person to represent the state as a voting board member.

» HB 2525, HD 2, would make individual health insurance plans and small group plans establish rates based on a uniform "community rating." It also would create a temporary premium subsidy program to offset certain rate increases for qualified plans purchased through the Hawaii Health Connector.