HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

199

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

Requesting the Medical Cannabis Insurance reimbursement working group to continue its work to address the complexities surrounding medical cannabis REIMBURSEMENTS by health insurance.

 

 


     WHEREAS, medical cannabis is a valuable tool for health care providers when treating multiple disorders and diagnoses including but not limited to cancer, glaucoma, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus; and

 

     WHEREAS, unlike other medications used to treat these illnesses, medical cannabis is not covered by health insurance; and

 

     WHEREAS, for many people, especially the disabled, chronically ill, or elderly living on fixed incomes, insurance coverage is the primary means of paying for necessary medications; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Medical Cannabis Insurance Reimbursement Working Group (working group) was established by Act 161, Session Laws of Hawaii 2018, to examine the complexities surrounding the topic of making medical cannabis reimbursable by health insurance; and

 

     WHEREAS, the working group submitted a report on its findings for the Regular Session of 2019 but, due to the complexity of the issue, work remains to be done; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirtieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2019, the Senate concurring, that the Medical Cannabis Insurance Reimbursement Working Group (working group) is requested to continue its work to address the complexities surrounding medical cannabis reimbursements by health insurance; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to provide periodic updates to the Legislature and make recommendations for any legislative or administrative action the working group deems appropriate to address issues relevant to health insurance reimbursement for medical cannabis; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to submit a final report, including recommendations for further action, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2020; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health, Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Insurance Commissioner, and Administrator of the Med-Quest Division of the Department of Human Services.

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Medical Cannabis; Medical Cannabis Insurance Reimbursement Working Group