Bill Text: HI SR98 | 2023 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii Senate Resolution 98 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Requesting The Auditor To Assess The Social And Financial Effects Of Mandating Health Insurance Coverage For Ambulance And Community Paramedicine Services.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-03-21 - Re-Referred to HHS. [SR98 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2023-SR98-Introduced.html

THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	98
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

requesting the auditor to assess the social and financial effects of mandating health insurance coverage for ambulance and COMMUNITY PARAMEDICINE SERVICES.

WHEREAS, a substantial number of transfers to a hospital provided by an emergency medical services ambulatory service are for health conditions that are not considered to be an emergency, which can result not only in wasted health care resources but can also potentially prevent the delivery of life-saving services to other individuals who may truly be experiencing a life-threatening emergency; and

WHEREAS, community paramedicine is a model of community-based health care in which paramedics function outside their customary emergency response and transport roles in ways that facilitate more appropriate use of emergency care resources; and

WHEREAS, an important advantage of community paramedicine is the ability to treat patients at home without transport to a hospital or clinic, which enhances access to primary care and support services, especially for medically underserved areas; and

WHEREAS, community paramedicine services can also improve access to preventative care, help triage patients, and alleviate the overburdened hospital and emergency departments, which in turn can help decrease health care costs; and

WHEREAS, reimbursement for community paramedicine services is essential to the Community Paramedicine Program's sustainability; 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;

(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 State Auditor's report; and

WHEREAS, S.B. No. , introduced in the Regular Session of 2023, would mandate insurance coverage for ambulance services and community paramedicine services rendered statewide by emergency medical technicians or paramedics; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2023, 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 ambulance services and community paramedicine services rendered statewide by emergency medical technicians or paramedics as proposed by Senate Bill No. , Regular Session of 2023; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor is further requested to include in its assessment the impact of section 1311(d)(3) of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) on Senate Bill No. , or similar legislation, that includes but is not limited to the additional cost of any benefits beyond the essential health benefits of Hawaii's qualified health plans under the PPACA; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor is also requested to determine how many qualified health plans are available in Hawaii, including plans offered by health maintenance organizations; the individual or group enrollment in these plans; and the actuarial cost of the defrayment to the State for ambulance services and community paramedicine services; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor is requested to submit a report on 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 2024; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Auditor and Insurance Commissioner, who is requested to transmit copies to each insurer in the State that issues health insurance policies.