STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1021-04

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2004

RE: H.C.R. No. 5

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 5 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO ASSESS THE SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL EFFECTS OF REQUIRING HEALTH INSURERS TO OFFER COVERAGE FOR OBESITY REDUCTION PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to request that the State Auditor assess the social and financial effects of requiring that health insurers offer coverage for obesity reduction programs for children and adolescents.

Kapiolani Medical Center supported this measure. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs offered comments but took no position. The Hawaii Medical Service Association noted that it generally opposes mandated insurance benefits but supported the request for a State Auditor's study.

Your Committee finds that research indicates that there is more than a 50 percent probability that an obese child will continue to be obese as an adult. It has been medically established that obesity of adults substantially increases risks of developing health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, type II diabetes, and breast, colon, and prostate cancers.

Your Committee is aware that section 23-51, Hawaii Revised Statutes, mandates a sunrise study by the State Auditor before any legislation mandating health insurance coverage for specific health services, specific diseases, or for certain providers of health care services as part of individual or group benefits, may be considered. The study is to assess both the social and financial effects of the proposed mandated coverage.

This measure requests that the State Auditor perform the required study. Your Committee finds that an impact assessment of mandating insurance coverage for obesity reduction programs will provide legislators with objective findings and recommendations for decisionmaking.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 5 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce,

 

____________________________

KENNETH T. HIRAKI, Chair