HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	158
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

requesting the auditor to assess the social and FINANCIAL effects of PROPOSED mandatory health insurance coverage of generic opioid antagonists and devices.

WHEREAS, in 2021, over one hundred thousand people died of a drug overdoses nationwide; and

WHEREAS, of those deaths, eighty percent involved the use of opioids; and

WHEREAS, death and injury from an opioid overdose can be prevented by the timely use of an opioid antagonist, such as naloxone; and

WHEREAS, although all state Medicaid programs cover some form of naloxone, private health insurers do not have similar coverage requirements, resulting in some individuals suffering from opioid use disorders being unable to afford the medication necessary for the treatment of their disorders; and

WHEREAS, section 23-51, Hawaii Revised Statutes, requires that "[b]efore 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, there shall be concurrent resolutions passed requesting the auditor to prepare and submit to the legislature a report that assesses both the social and financial effects of the proposed mandated coverage"; and

WHEREAS, section 23-51, Hawaii Revised Statutes, further provides that "[t]he concurrent resolutions shall designate a specific legislative bill that:

(1) Has been introduced in the legislature; and

(2) Includes, at a minimum, information identifying the:

(A) Specific health service, disease, or provider that would be covered;

(B) Extent of the coverage;

(C) Target groups that would be covered;

(D) Limitations on utilization, if any; and

(E) Standards of care.

For purposes of this part, mandated health insurance coverage shall not include mandated optionals."; and

WHEREAS, section 23-52, Hawaii Revised Statutes, further specifies the minimum information required for assessing the social and financial impact of the proposed health coverage mandate in the Auditor's report; and

WHEREAS, House Bill No.     , introduced in the Regular Session of 2026, proposes to expand existing health insurance mandates to cover generic opioid antagonists and devices; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, the Senate concurring, that the Auditor is requested to conduct an impact assessment report in accordance with sections 23-51 and 23-52, Hawaii Revised Statutes, of mandating health insurance coverage for generic opioid antagonists and devices as proposed by House Bill No.      (Regular Session of 2026); 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 2027; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Auditor, Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, and Insurance Commissioner.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Auditor; Impact Assessment Report; Mandatory Health Insurance Coverage; Opioid Antagonists and Devices