STAND. COM. REP. NO.  900

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2015

RE:   H.B. No. 174

      H.D. 2

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 174, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to promote accessibility to quality health care procedures in the State by requiring health insurance coverage of medically necessary orthodontic treatment of orofacial anomalies.

The State Council on Developmental Disabilities; Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children; Family Voices of Hawaii; American Academy of Pediatrics, Hawaii Chapter; and numerous individuals supported this measure.  The Department of Health, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, and two individuals provided comments.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 174, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair