Bill Text: HI SCR24 | 2011 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Insurance Coverage; Smoking Cessation
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-03-31 - (S) Report adopted, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. [SCR24 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2011-SCR24-Amended.html
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THE SENATE |
S.C.R. NO. |
24 |
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TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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SENATE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO ASSESS THE SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL EFFECTS OF REQUIRING HEALTH INSURERS TO PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR CERTAIN TOBACCO USE CESSATION METHODS.
WHEREAS, according to the American Cancer Society, almost six hundred individuals died in Hawaii of lung cancer in 2010; and
WHEREAS, according to the American Cancer Society, over seven hundred fifty new cases of lung cancer were reported in Hawaii in 2010; and
WHEREAS, lung cancer accounts for more deaths than any other single type of cancer; and
WHEREAS, cigarette smoking is by far the greatest risk factor for lung cancer and its risks increase with quantity and duration of cigarette smoking; and
WHEREAS, quitting smoking greatly reduces the risk factor for lung cancer, even for long-time smokers; 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 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) Limits 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, Senate Bill No. 1452, S.D. 1 (2011), mandates insurance coverage for certain tobacco use cessation methods recommended by the United States Preventative Services Task Force, specifically telephone and individual counseling and intervention sessions; prescription coverage for nicotine replacement products and tobacco cessation medications approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration; and counseling and medication coverage for tobacco use cessation attempts; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2011, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Auditor is requested to conduct an impact assessment report, pursuant to sections 23-51 and 23-52, Hawaii Revised Statutes, of the social and financial impacts of mandating insurance coverage for telephone and individual counseling and intervention sessions, prescription coverage for nicotine replacement products and tobacco use cessation medications, and counseling and medication coverage for tobacco use cessation attempts, effective as of July 1, 2011, as provided in Senate Bill No. 1452, S.D. 1 (2011); and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor is requested to submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature, including any necessary implementing legislation, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2012; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Auditor and to the Insurance Commissioner, who, in turn, is requested to transmit copies to each insurer in the State that issues health insurance policies.
Insurance Coverage; Smoking Cessation
