STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1479-12

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2012

 

RE:   H.R. No. 137

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.R. No. 137 entitled:

 

"HOUSE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON REQUIRING INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Legislative Reference Bureau to conduct a study relating to mandated insurance coverage for treatment of autism spectrum disorders in Hawaii.

 

Specifically, this measure requests the Legislative Reference Bureau to:

 

(1)  Assess the impact of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act on mandated coverage for autism spectrum disorders treatment in Hawaii; and

 

(2)  Analyze the costs of providing coverage for autism spectrum disorders treatment based on other states' experiences with autism treatment coverage.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Kaiser Permanente, Autism Speaks, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Family Voices of Hawaii, Community Children's Council of Hawaii, Special Education Advisory Council, Autism Behavior Consulting Group, and eight concerned individuals.

 

     Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Legislative Reference Bureau.

 

     Your Committee finds that extending insurance coverage to the diagnosis and treatment, including behavioral services, of autism spectrum disorders would provide assistance to patients and their families affected by autism.  Improved access to effective treatments would improve the potential for those with an autism spectrum disorder to live a more productive life.

 

     Your Committee finds that, by including information on the reported clinical effectiveness of treatments that are covered by insurance in states that mandate coverage for autism treatments, the study may offer a more complete view of the issues surrounding coverage for autism treatment.

 

     Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by requesting the Legislative Reference Bureau to include in its study information on the clinical guidelines for autism treatment recommended by medical authorities and reported information about the clinical effectiveness of treatment methods that are covered by insurance in states that mandate coverage for autism treatment.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.R. No. 137, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Legislative Management in the form attached hereto as H.R. No. 137, H.D. 1.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

 

 

____________________________ RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair