THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

183

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL ASSESSMENT ON MANDATING DENTAL AND VISION INSURANCE COVERAGE.

 

 


     WHEREAS, over 223,000 Hawaii residents do not have dental insurance coverage and the same number of residents, or more, also do not have vision insurance coverage; and

 

     WHEREAS, individuals without dental or vision insurance coverage tend to not regularly visit a dentist or optometrist, resulting in deteriorating dental or vision conditions that could have been prevented if diagnosed early; and

 

     WHEREAS, Senate Bill No. 2259, S.D. 2, Regular Session of 2024, requires insurance coverage for dental and vision insurance coverage; and

 

     WHEREAS, pursuant to section 23-51, Hawaii Revised Statutes, before 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, a concurrent resolution shall be 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 under that legislative bill; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2024, that the Auditor is requested to conduct an impact assessment report, pursuant to sections 23-51 and 23-52, Hawaii Revised Statutes, of mandating dental and vision insurance coverage, as proposed in Senate Bill No. 2259, S.D. 2, Regular Session of 2024; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor is requested to submit a report of 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 2025; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Auditor and Insurance Commissioner.

Report Title: 

Auditor; Insurance; Sunrise Review; Dental Insurance Coverage; Vision Insurance Coverage