STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1764-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.C.R. No. 33

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 33 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL ASSESSMENT OF PROPOSED MANDATORY HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR EARLY ACCESS BREAST CANCER SCREENING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Auditor to conduct a social and financial assessment of proposed mandatory health insurance coverage for early access breast cancer screening.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Society of Clinical Oncology, Hawaii Medical Association, Hawai‘i Section of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

Your Committee finds that breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in women in the State. Annually in Hawaii, an average of 1,233 women are diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, 308 women are diagnosed with non-invasive tumors, and 155 women die due to breast cancer. The incidence of breast cancer in the State is higher than the United States overall and statewide rates continue to increase each year.

Your Committee further finds that mandated health insurance coverage for early access breast cancer screening is not generally covered by health insurance and would be considered a new mandated benefit. This measure therefore requests the Auditor to conduct an impact assessment report on the social and financial effects of the mandated health insurance coverage for early access breast cancer screening proposed by Senate Bill No. 827, S.D. 2, Regular Session of 2022.

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. 33 and recommends its adoption.

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

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair