Bill Text: HI HR137 | 2012 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Requests that the Legislative Reference Bureau study what impact the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will have on mandates proposed by pending legislation for health insurers to provide coverage for the treatment of autism spectrum disorders, and the cost of providing such coverage in Hawaii.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-04-03 - (H) Report adopted. referred to the committee(s) on LMG as amended in HD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cabanilla, Carroll, Mizuno, Thielen excused (4). [HR137 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2012-HR137-Amended.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.R. NO. |
137 |
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TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2012 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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HOUSE RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON REQUIRING INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS.
WHEREAS, autism is a complex developmental disability that is considered a spectrum disorder by health care professionals as individuals with autism spectrum disorders may share common symptoms with others similarly diagnosed, but the severity of their conditions can vary widely across the spectrum; and
WHEREAS, autism spectrum disorders currently include autistic disorder, Asperger syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified, which is also known as atypical autism; and
WHEREAS, those affected by an autism spectrum disorder usually show such symptoms as delays or difficulties with social interaction and interpersonal skills and verbal and non-verbal communication, and repetitive or obsessive behavior; and
WHEREAS, symptoms of an autism spectrum disorder generally begin before the age of three and can persist through adulthood; and
WHEREAS, health care professionals advise that early and intensive treatment efforts, especially applied behavior analysis, may greatly assist with developmental disabilities related to autism spectrum disorders and prevent an affected individual from becoming permanently dependent on family members or a lifelong ward of the State; and
WHEREAS, autism spectrum disorders are becoming increasingly prevalent in Hawaii, and treatment for these disorders places a huge financial burden on Hawaii families as treatment is not presently covered by Hawaii health insurers; and
WHEREAS, extending insurance coverage to the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders would provide much needed assistance to affected Hawaii families and improve the potential for those with an autism spectrum disorder to live a more productive life; and
WHEREAS, the potential benefits to individuals with an autism spectrum disorder and their families, would equally benefit the State by creating long-term savings as a result of positive treatment outcomes that would seem to outweigh the short-term costs; and
WHEREAS, Senate Bill No. 2631, S.D.2, introduced in the Regular Session of 2012, proposes to require insurance coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders by accident and health or sickness insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations; and
WHEREAS, twenty-nine states currently require that health insurers provide coverage for the treatment of autism spectrum disorders, and there is now cost data available to study the effect on insurance premiums of providing such treatment; and
WHEREAS, in 2010, the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was enacted, which requires that health insurance exchanges offer insurance coverage for essential health benefits, including behavioral health treatment; and
WHEREAS, in 2009, the Auditor submitted a report to the Governor and the Legislature entitled Study of the Social and Financial Impacts of Mandatory Health Insurance Coverage for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders, an issue which the Senate Committee on Ways and Means recently requested the Auditor to revisit in consideration of the services proposed by Senate Bill No. 2631, S.D.2, Regular Session of 2012, and the changes to insurance coverage required by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2012, that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to:
(1) Assess the impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act on the proposal in Senate Bill No. 2631, S.D. 2, Regular Session of 2012, to require insurance coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders by accident and health or sickness insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations;
(2) Analyze the cost of providing insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorders in Hawaii, based on actual cost effects experienced in other states that require such coverage, to the extent of available information;
(3) Report information on the recommended clinical guidelines made by medical societies, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, for the treatment of autism spectrum disorders; and
(4) Provide information on the reported clinical effectiveness of treatments for autism spectrum disorders that are covered by insurance in states that mandate coverage for autism treatments; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to report its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2013; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Insurance Commissioner, and the Director of Health.
Requests that the Legislative Reference Bureau study what impact the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will have on mandates proposed by pending legislation for health insurers to provide coverage for the treatment of autism spectrum disorders, and the cost of providing such coverage in Hawaii.
