STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1362-08

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2008

 

RE:   H.C.R. No. 62

 

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2008

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 62 entitled:

 

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO ASSESS THE SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL EFFECTS OF REQUIRING HEALTH INSURERS TO PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to request the Auditor to conduct an impact assessment report of the social and financial impacts of mandating health insurers to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders and submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2009.

 

     The State Council on Developmental Disabilities, the Disability and Communication Access Board, Autism Speaks (formerly Cure Autism Now), the Hawaii Disability Rights Center (formerly the Protection and Advocacy Agency of Hawaii), Kaiser Permanente, parents of an autistic child and concerned citizens supported the intent of the measure. HMSA expressed concerns and provided comments.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 62 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Legislative Management.

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

ROBERT N. HERKES, Chair