THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

16

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


SENATE 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.

 

 

WHEREAS, obesity is the second leading cause of preventable death in the United States; and

WHEREAS, according to the California Research Bureau's "Overweight Kids: Why Should We Care?" the total 1995 cost (health care and pharmaceutical costs, workday/lifetime earnings loss) in the United States associated with obesity was $99,200,000,000; and

WHEREAS, the California Research Bureau also reports that after an obese child reaches six years of age, the probability that obesity will persist exceeds fifty percent; and

WHEREAS, according to the Centers for Disease Control, childhood obesity in the United States has nearly doubled in the past two decades; and

WHEREAS, compared to ten years ago, children are consuming an additional one hundred calories and more per day, primarily from soda, juice, fast foods, and candy; and

WHEREAS, children are also participating less in physical activity, which helps to avoid the health problems and social consequences from being overweight, both as children and as adults, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, osteoporosis, and type 2 diabetes caused in part by high fat diets, excessive weight, and a sedentary lifestyle; and

WHEREAS, overweight and obese children are also more likely to experience asthma and bronchial hyperactivity; and

WHEREAS, obese children are more prone to skin disorders, especially if deep skin folds are present; and

WHEREAS, overweight and obese children are at a significant risk of developing psychological disorders including depression, poor self-esteem, negative self-image, and withdrawal from peers; 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, H.B. No.        (2004) mandates coverage for children and adolescents obesity reduction programs 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, 2004; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature believes that mandatory health insurance coverage for obesity reduction programs for children and adolescents, as provided in H.B. No.        (2004), 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-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2004, 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 for obesity reduction programs for children and adolescents 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, 2004, as provided in H.B. No.        (2004); and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Auditor is requested to submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature, including any necessary implementing legislation, twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2005; 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:

Obesity Reduction; Children & Adolescents; Mandated Benefit