STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1426

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.C.R. No. 165

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 165 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO ASSESS THE SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL EFFECTS OF REQUIRING HEALTH INSURERS, MUTUAL BENEFIT SOCIETIES, AND HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR MEDICALLY NECESSARY COGNITIVE REHABILITATION THERAPY FOR SURVIVORS OF TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request that the Auditor assess the social and financial effects of requiring health insurance coverage for medically necessary cognitive rehabilitation therapy for survivors of traumatic brain injury as required by section 23-51, Hawaii Revised Statutes, before any legislative measure requiring insurance coverage for specific health services or specific diseases may be considered.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Disability and Communication Access Board, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, and two individuals.

     Your Committee notes that Senate Bill No. 225, S.D.1, introduced in the 2017 Regular Session, requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations to provide coverage for medically necessary cognitive rehabilitation therapy for survivors of traumatic brain injury.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 165 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

DELLA AU BELATTI, Chair