STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3617

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1969

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1969, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COLORECTAL CANCER,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to increase access to colorectal cancer screenings and treatments for Hawaii residents.

Specifically, this measure:

(1) Requires, and appropriates moneys to, the Department of Human Services to provide financial assistance to pay for colorectal cancer screenings for Hawaii residents who are uninsured, have health care coverage that does not provide coverage without cost sharing for colorectal cancer screenings, are permanent United States resident aliens but are ineligible for Medicaid, or are nonresident aliens and are ineligible for Medicaid; and

(2) Requires certain health care insurance policies to include coverage for a follow-up colonoscopy conducted after a positive stool-based test, blood-based test, or direct visualization test for colorectal cancer screening, without requiring a deductible, copayment, coinsurance, or other cost-sharing requirement.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the State Health Planning and Development Agency, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, Hawaii Medical Association, Fight Colorectal Cancer, and numerous individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services, Department of Health, and Insurance Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

Your Committee finds that colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in Hawaii, responsible for approximately two hundred sixty deaths each year. These deaths are largely preventable with timely, equitable access to colorectal cancer screenings. This measure increases access to these screenings for uninsured and underinsured Hawaii residents, thereby saving lives and reducing long-term costs to the State.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1969, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair