STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1439

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 174

       H.D. 2

       S.D. 1

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, 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 and intent of this measure is to require health insurance coverage of orthodontic treatment for orofacial anomalies.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the American Academy of Pediatrics, Hawaii Chapter; State Council on Developmental Disabilities; Hawaii Dental Association; Kapiolani Medical Center; Lifetime of Smiles; and twenty-nine individuals.  Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Health and the Insurance Commissioner.

     Your Committee finds that orthodontic care for infants and children who are born with oral and facial abnormalities is vitally important to ensure optimal nutrition and proper speech development. If such care is not provided in a timely manner, then these children can be left with lifelong impairment.

     Your Committee notes that concerns have been raised over the need to clarify whether orthodontic treatment for orofacial anomalies would be covered under dental plans or health plans, as this could lead to future disputes as to the responsible party.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2050, to facilitate further discussion on the measure; and

     (2)  Making technical nonsubstantive changes for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 174, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 174, H.D. 2, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair