STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1413-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: S.B. No. 2635

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

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 S.B. No. 2635, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COVERAGE FOR MAMMOGRAPHY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require health insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations to cover mandated services for mammography at least as favorably as coverage for other radiological exams.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Hawai‘i Women Lawyers, and Hawaii Medical Association. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

Your Committee finds that breast cancer is the most common cancer in American women, except for skin cancers. At this time, a mammogram is the best way to find breast cancer for most women of screening age; however, several studies have shown that women will delay screenings because of high out-of-pocket expenses. Delays in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment can have adverse health outcomes. This measure eliminates a cost impediment to obtain a mammogram by requiring health insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations to cover a base level of coverage for breast cancer screening, which will help efforts to reduce cancer morbidity and mortality through screening and early detection.

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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2635, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair