THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	207
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

requesting the auditor to assess the social and financial effects of mandating health insurance coverage for mammography, on terms at least as favorable to the insured as those applicable to other radiological examinations.

WHEREAS, breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States and the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women; and

WHEREAS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, breast cancer screenings help to reduce deaths, reduce the costs of cancer treatments, decrease the number of women diagnosed with late-stage cancer, increase the five-year survival rates for those so diagnosed, and increase women's life expectancy; and

WHEREAS, health insurers are currently not required to provide one hundred percent coverage for mammograms, so copayments and deductibles often apply; and

WHEREAS, these copayments and deductibles may make it cost prohibitive for some women to receive mammograms annually or when recommended by their health care providers; and

WHEREAS, Senate Bill No. 272, introduced during the Regular Session of 2023, requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations to cover mandated services for mammography on terms at least as favorable to the insured as the terms for other radiological examinations; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to section 23-51, Hawaii Revised Statutes, before any legislative measure that mandates health insurance coverage for specific health services, specific diseases, or certain providers of health care services as part of individual or group health insurance policies can be considered, concurrent resolutions shall be adopted that request the Auditor to review the measure and to prepare a report for submission to the Legislature that assesses the social and financial effects of the proposed mandated coverage; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2023, that the Auditor is requested to conduct an assessment, pursuant to sections 23-51 and 23-52, Hawaii Revised Statutes, of the social and financial effects of mandating health insurance coverage for mammography on the terms proposed in Senate Bill No. 272, which was introduced during the Regular Session of 2023; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor is requested to submit a report of the Auditor's findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2024; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Auditor and Insurance Commissioner.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Mammography; Health Insurance; Mandate; Auditor