STAND. COM. REP. NO.  26

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2019

 

RE:   H.B. No. 481

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 481 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to clarify that coverage for digital mammography and breast tomosynthesis is included in the existing health insurance mandate for coverage of low-dose mammography.

 

     The Hawaii Radiological Society, Hawaii Medical Association, Maui Medical Group, Oahu Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, and a few individuals testified in support of this measure.  The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, American College of Radiology, and Hawaii Association of Health Plans provided comments.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Requiring the State Auditor to perform an analysis to determine if the mandated benefits rise to the level of triggering the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act's requirement to defray the cost of any new mandate in excess of the essential health benefits, and an impact assessment report if required under section 23-51, Hawaii Revised Statutes;

 

     (2)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2050, to promote further discussion; and

 

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 481, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 481, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

____________________________

JOHN M. MIZUNO, Chair