HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

81

TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT an impact assessment OF PROPOSED MANDATORY MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT COVERAGE FOR CRISIS SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND ALCOHOL TREATMENT.

 

 


     WHEREAS, there currently exists in this State a large population of people who abuse various substances or alcohol; and

 

     WHEREAS, many of the patients suffering from the substance abuse or alcohol abuse do not have insurance coverage that would enable them to receive adequate treatment; and

 

     WHEREAS, Senate Bill No. 731, S.D. 1, has been introduced in the Legislature during the Regular Session of 2011, and proposes to require health insurance coverage for crisis substance abuse and alcohol treatment, including individual and group counseling, to extend for a period of thirty to sixty days for patients that have or are known to have substance abuse problems; and

 

     WHEREAS, section 23-51, Hawaii Revised Statutes, requires that before any legislative measure mandating health insurance coverage for specific health services can be considered, there shall be concurrent resolutions passed to request the Auditor to prepare and submit a report to the Legislature that assesses the social and financial effects of the proposed mandated coverage; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2011, that the Auditor is requested to conduct an impact assessment in accordance with sections 23-51 and 23-52, Hawaii Revised Statutes, on the proposed mandatory health insurance coverage for crisis substance abuse and alcohol treatment; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor is requested to submit its findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2012; and

 

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

 

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

Report Title: 

Auditor; Study on Mandatory Mental Health Coverage