STAND. COM. REP. NO. 611-04

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2004

RE: H.C.R. No. 5

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 5 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO ASSESS THE SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL EFFECTS OF REQUIRING HEALTH INSURERS TO OFFER COVERAGE FOR OBESITY REDUCTION PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this resolution is to request that the Auditor assess the social and financial effects of requiring health insurers to offer coverage for obesity reduction programs for children and adolescents.

Kaiser Permanente testified in opposition.

Your Committee finds that research indicates that there is more than a fifty percent probability that an obese child will continue to be obese as an adult. It has also been established that obesity substantially raises the risks of developing health problems such as high blood pressure, type II diabetes, heart disease, and breast, colon, and prostate cancers. An impact assessment of mandating coverage for obesity reduction programs for children and adolescents will provide the Legislature with findings and recommendations for decision-making.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 5 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

 

____________________________

DENNIS A. ARAKAKI, Chair