STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1721-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.C.R. No. 20

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Human Services & Homelessness, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 20 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO ASSESS THE SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL EFFECTS OF MANDATING HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR BRIEF COGNITIVE ASSESSMENTS FOR INDIVIDUALS FIFTY YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Auditor to assess the social and financial effects of mandating health insurance coverage for brief cognitive assessments for individuals fifty years of age and older.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State Health Planning and Development Agency; Alzheimer's Association – Hawaii; Hawaii Disability Rights Center; Aloha Independent Living Hawaii; and two individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Office of the Auditor.

Your Committee finds that cognitive assessments are crucial for early detection and management of cognitive impairments, such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease, and early diagnosis can significantly improve the quality of life for affected individuals and reduce long-term health care costs. Your Committee further finds that mandating coverage for brief cognitive assessments would provide a cost-effective mechanism to identify cognitive changes early, reduce long-term health care costs, and improve outcomes for individuals at risk of dementia. This measure therefore requests the Auditor to conduct a statutorily required impact assessment report on the social and financial effects of mandatory health insurance coverage for brief cognitive assessments for individuals fifty years of age and older, as proposed by House Bill No. 1702, Regular Session of 2026.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 20 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services & Homelessness,

____________________________

LISA MARTEN, Chair