Bill Text: HI SCR128 | 2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Auditor Report; Mandatory Coverage of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 10-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-03-16 - (S) Referred to HTH/CPN, WAM. [SCR128 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2012-SCR128-Introduced.html

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THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	128
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2012
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO ASSESS THE SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL EFFECTS OF REQUIRING HEALTH INSURERS TO PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS.

 

 

     WHEREAS, "autism spectrum disorders" means any of the pervasive developmental disorders as defined by the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, including autistic disorder, Asperger's disorder, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified, Rett's disorder, and childhood disintegrative disorder; and

 

     WHEREAS, autism is one of the fastest-growing developmental disorders in the United States, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that one in one hundred ten children in the United States are affected by an autism spectrum disorder; and

 

     WHEREAS, approximately seventy-five to eighty-six percent of children who receive early intervention services between the ages of two and seven will develop some form of functional communication by age nine; and

 

     WHEREAS, since the Auditor prepared a report, "Study of the Social and Financial Impacts of Mandatory Health Insurance Coverage for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders" in 2009 in response to Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 196, S.D. 1, Regular Session of 2008, both the frequency of diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder and the number of states with legislation requiring insurance coverage for its treatment have increased; 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 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 a 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, Senate Bill No.     (2012) mandates coverage of autism spectrum disorders for all policies and contracts for accident and health or sickness insurance, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organization plans and contracts issued after December 31, 2012; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Legislature believes that mandatory health insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorders, as provided in Senate Bill No.     (2012), will substantially reduce the impact of autism spectrum disorders and assist in the maintenance of good health for the people of this State; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2012, the House of Representatives concurring, 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 of autism spectrum disorders, as provided in Senate Bill No.     (2012); and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor's assessment is specifically requested to address the effects of the increase in frequency of diagnoses of autism spectrum disorders and the increased number of states that have passed legislation requiring insurance coverage for the treatment of autism spectrum disorders; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor is requested to submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature, including any proposed implementing legislation, 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 Concurrent 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: 

Auditor Report; Mandatory Coverage of Autism Spectrum Disorders