Standard Oil Co. of California v. Agsalud

MEMORANDUM OF OPINION

RENFREW, District Judge.

This case presents two important issues, whether the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), 29 U.S.C. §§ 1001-1381, preempts Hawaii’s health insurance laws and, if it does, whether it is constitutional.

I

ERISA regulates the administration of private employee benefit and pension plans affecting interstate commerce. Pursuant to its authority under the Commerce Clause, U.S.Const. art. I § 8, Congress established standards concerning disclosure to plan participants, reporting to the federal government, vesting of benefits, funding of…