THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

17

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2002

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO ASSESS THE SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL EFFECTS OF REQUIRING HEALTH INSURERS TO OFFER COVERAGE FOR BIOLOGICALLY BASED PSYCHIATRIC AND ADDICTION DISORDERS.

 

WHEREAS, there is firm proof of the neurochemical basis for biologically based psychiatric and chemical addictive disorders; and

WHEREAS, support has been increasing for treating psychiatric and addictive disorders on a par with other medical disorders; and

WHEREAS, while there is a perception that there is parity in Hawaii for mental illness and chemical dependency, these illnesses are not currently treated the same as other "physical" disorders. For example, visits for psychiatry and chemical dependency are limited in number while visits for other medical illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension are not; 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:

    1. 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.     (2002) mandates coverage of biologically based psychiatric and addiction disorders for all policies and contracts, hospital and medical service plan contracts, medical service corporation contracts, and health maintenance organization plans and contracts issued after December 31, 2002; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature believes that mandatory health insurance coverage of biologically based psychiatric and addiction disorders, as provided in S.B. No.     (2002), 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 Senate of the Twenty-First Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2002, 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 biologically based psychiatric and addiction disorders for all policies and contracts, hospital and medical service plan contracts, medical service corporation contracts, and health maintenance organization plans and contracts issued after December 31, 2002, as provided in S.B. No.     (2002); 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; Biologically-based Psychiatric and Addiction Disorders