STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3465

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.C.R. No. 100

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committees on Health and Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 100 entitled:

 

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO ASSESS THE SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL EFFECTS OF REQUIRING HEALTH INSURERS TO PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR MEDICALLY NECESSARY TREATMENT OF OROFACIAL ANOMALIES,"

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Auditor to conduct an impact assessment report in accordance with sections 23-51 and 23-52, Hawaii Revised Statutes, of mandating health insurance coverage for medically necessary treatment of orofacial anomalies.

 

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Kaiser Permanente, Hawaii Pacific Health, and several individuals.

 

     Your Committees find that orthodontic treatment is a part of the comprehensive treatment of orofacial anomalies, such as cleft lip and palate.  Your Committees further find that health insurance does not cover payment for these services.  This measure acknowledges the importance of improving access for children and youth with orofacial anomalies to medically necessary orthodontic services, which is especially important to families for whom out-of-pocket payment may cause hardship and potential delays in treatment timelines.

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Commerce and Consumer Protection that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 100, and recommend that it be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Health and Commerce and Consumer Protection,

 

____________________________

ROSALYN H. BAKER, Chair

 

____________________________

JOSH GREEN, Chair