STAND. COM. REP. NO.1650

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2001

RE: S.C.R. No. 127

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 127 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO STUDY THE SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL IMPACT OF MANDATORY HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR ACUPUNCTURE SERVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request an Auditor's study of the social and financial effects of mandating health insurance coverage for acupuncture services.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Acupuncture Association, Hawaii Alliance for the Healing Arts, Institute of Clinical Acupuncture and Oriental medicine and three individuals. The Hawaii Medical Service Association presented comments on the measure.

Senate Bill No. 265 proposes to make coverage for acupuncture services mandatory under health insurance plans. Section 23-51, Hawaii Revised Statutes, requires that before it considers a measure mandating health insurance coverage for specific health services, the legislature pass a concurrent resolution requesting the Auditor to prepare and submit an assessment of the social and financial effects of the proposed mandated coverage. Therefore, this measure effectuates the legislature's request for an Auditor's study.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 127 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing,

____________________________

RON MENOR, Chair