HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	55
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting the auditor to assess the social and financial effects of requiring health insurers to provide coverage for certain native hawaiian culture-based activities.

 

 

     WHEREAS, Native Hawaiians have among the highest rates of obesity, hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, certain cancers, and mortality rates of any ethnic group in Hawaii; and

 

     WHEREAS, studies indicate that many Native Hawaiians feel alienated from and have a mistrust of the present health care system, and prefer more culturally acceptable means of managing their health; and

 

     WHEREAS, section 226-20, Hawaii Revised Statutes, sets objectives and policies of the Hawaii state plan for socio-cultural advancement of health with specific language that requires the prioritization of programs, services, interventions, and activities that that address social determinants of health intended to improve Native Hawaiian health and well-being and to reduce disparities among disproportionately affected demographic groups; and

 

     WHEREAS, traditional Native Hawaiian practices, including hula and canoe paddling, have been shown to be effective in the areas of weight management, cardiovascular health, diabetes management, and chronic kidney disease management; and

 

     WHEREAS, section 23-51, Hawaii Revised Statutes, requires that "[b]efore any legislative measure that mandates health insurance coverage for specific health services, specific diseases, or certain providers of health care services as part of individual or group health insurance policies, can be considered, there shall be concurrent resolutions passed requesting the auditor to prepare and submit to the legislature a report that assesses both the social and financial effects of the proposed mandated coverage"; and

 

     WHEREAS, section 23-51, Hawaii Revised Statutes, further provides that "[t]he concurrent resolutions shall designate a specific legislative bill that:

 

     (1)  Has been introduced in the legislature; and

 

     (2)  Includes, at minimum, information identifying the:

 

          (A)  Specific health service, disease, or provider that would be covered;

 

          (B)  Extent of the coverage;

 

          (C)  Target groups that would be covered;

 

          (D)  Limits on utilization, if any; and

 

          (E)  Standards of care.

 

For purposes of this part, mandated health insurance coverage shall not include mandated optionals"; and

 

     WHEREAS, section 23-52, Hawaii Revised Statutes, further specifies the minimum information required for assessing the social and financial impact of the proposed health coverage mandate in the Auditor's report; and

 

     WHEREAS, S.B. No.      (Regular Session of 2017), mandates health insurance coverage for Native Hawaiian culture-based practices that have been empirically shown to be effective in the management of weight, cardiovascular health, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Legislature believes that coverage for certain Native Hawaiian culture-based practices will substantially reduce illness and assist in the maintenance of good health for the people of this State; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-ninth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2017, that the Auditor is requested to conduct an impact assessment report, pursuant to sections 23-51 and 23-52, Hawaii Revised Statutes, of the social and financial impacts of mandating coverage for Native Hawaiian culture-based practices that have been empirically shown to be effective in the management of weight, cardiovascular health, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease as provided in S.B. No.      (2017); and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor is requested to submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature, including any necessary implementing legislation, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2018; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Auditor and to the Insurance Commissioner, who, in turn, is requested to transmit copies to each insurer in the State that issues health insurance policies.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Health Insurance; Native Hawaiian Culture-based Activities; Mandatory Coverage; Auditor; Social and Financial Impact