STAND. COM. REP. 3474

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2004

RE: H.C.R. No. 138

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Health and Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 138, H.D. 1, entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, HAWAII MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, AND AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY TO SUPPORT ADEQUATE LEVELS OF REIMBURSEMENT FOR MAMMOGRAPHY SERVICES AND TO SUPPORT PHYSICIANS TO BE ALLOWED TO PROVIDE MORE ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Health, Hawaii Medical Association, and the American Cancer Society to support adequate levels of reimbursement for mammography services and to support physicians to be allowed to provide more access to technology.

Testimony in support of this measure was received from the Department of Health, Hawaii Pacific Health, Straub Clinic & Hospital, Hawaii Medical Association, Hawaii Radiological Society, and North Hawaii Community Hospital. Comments were received from the Hawaii Breast Society.

Your Committees find that Hawaii has the highest incidence of breast cancer among Caucasian women in the nation, and native Hawaiians have the highest incidence and death rate from the disease. Breast cancer can be prevented or survived with early detection and intervention. Access to mammograms, the best means of detecting breast cancer, is key to preventing unnecessary deaths.

Your Committees further find that mammography is currently a mandated insurance benefit under Hawaii law. The Legislature clearly intended that this reimbursement be at a level that would permit mammography clinics to provide this service. However, inadequate payment for services by private insurance and government reduces access of mammography services by women, and deters facilities from using more advanced technology. This measure will help enable hospitals and other facilities to improve access to mammography services by encouraging adequate levels of reimbursement for mammography services and providing more access to better technology.

Your Committees have amended this measure by clarifying the language to be more focused and succinct, and to add the Insurance Commissioner to the requested entities.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 138, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 138, H.D. 1, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Health and Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing,

____________________________

RON MENOR, Chair

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair