STAND. COM. REP. NO.395-02

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2002

RE: H.B. No. 2216

H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Consumer Protection and Commerce and Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 2216 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH, ALCOHOL, AND DRUG ABUSE,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to ensure that mental health and substance abuse treatment benefits are continued by repealing the sunset of chapter 431M, Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS).

Testimony in support of this measure was received from the Hawaii Medical Association, Hawaii Psychiatric Medical Association, Hawaii Psychological Association, Mental Health Association in Hawaii, National Association of Social Workers, National Alliance for the Mentally Ill Oahu, and four concerned individuals. The Department of Health supported the intent of the bill and suggested an amendment. The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii submitted comments.

Your Committees find that employer-sponsored insurance for mental health and substance abuse treatment, benefits both the private and public sector. In the business community, work force productivity is increased and turnover is decreased when these services are made available. In the public sector, a similar savings should also be recognized. Yet, on a more fundamental level, your Committees believe that the alleviation of illness and increased well-being of persons who are provided with appropriate mental health and substance abuse treatment, is the most significant reason to continue to mandate this coverage.

However, your Committees also find that mental health and substance abuse treatment have yet to attain full parity in relation to other basic medical services, and face an uphill struggle in obtaining that status on a permanent basis.

Your Committees therefore believe that continued discussion of mental health and substance abuse treatment benefits, and the appropriate scope of coverage is needed. Therefore, your Committees have amended this measure by extending the sunset date of chapter 431M, HRS, for two years, from July 1, 2002, to July 1, 2004.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Consumer Protection and Commerce and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2216, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2216, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

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

 

____________________________

DENNIS A. ARAKAKI, Chair

____________________________

KENNETH T. HIRAKI, Chair