Bill Text: HI SCR51 | 2011 | Regular Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Auditor Report; Mandatory Coverage of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 9-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-04-01 - (S) Report adopted, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. [SCR51 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2011-SCR51-Introduced.html

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THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	51
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO ASSESS THE SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL EFFECTS OF REQUIRING HEALTH INSURERS TO PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR autism spectrum disorders.

 

 

     WHEREAS, "autism spectrum disorders" means any of the pervasive developmental disorders as defined by the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, including autistic disorder, Asperger's disorder, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified, Rett's disorder, and childhood disintegrative disorder; and

 

     WHEREAS, autism is the fastest growing developmental disorder in the United States and directly affects one in one hundred ten children including one in seventy boys and their families; and

 

WHEREAS, more children are diagnosed with autism each year than with AIDS, diabetes, and cancer combined; and

 

     WHEREAS, however, approximately seventy-five to eighty-six per cent of children who receive early intervention services between the ages of two and seven will develop some form of functional communication by age nine; 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 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)  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, S.B. No.     (2011) mandates coverage of autism spectrum disorders for all policies and contracts, hospital and medical service plan contracts, medical service corporation contracts, and health maintenance organization plans and contracts issued after December 31, 2011; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Legislature believes that mandatory health insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorders, as provided in S.B. No.     (2011), will substantially reduce the impact of autism spectrum disorders and assist in the maintenance of good health for the people of this State; 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 coverage of autism spectrum disorders for all policies and contracts, hospital and medical service plan contracts, medical service corporation contracts, and health maintenance organization plans and contracts issued after December 31, 2011, as provided in S.B. No.     (2011); and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor is requested to submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature, including any proposed implementing legislation, 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.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Auditor Report; Mandatory Coverage of Autism Spectrum Disorders