STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1423

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 1999

                                   RE:  H.B. No. 326
                                        H.D. 1
                                        S.D. 1




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 1999
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B.
No. 326, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to require health insurance
coverage for medical foods and low-protein modified food
products.

     Your Committee finds that certain inborn metabolic diseases,
such as phenylketonuria and maple syrup urine disease, can be
successfully treated through use of medical foods and low-protein
modified food products.  Without these special foods, children
with these conditions will eventually suffer severe brain damage
or death.  These foods can cost a family over $10,000 per year,
however, and few health insurance plans cover this cost.

     Your Committee finds that a study by the Auditor found that
fewer than twenty-five people in the State require this
treatment.  Thus, mandating coverage will have a minimal impact
on the cost of health insurance, while relieving families of a
costly burden and ensuring that children can avoid the serious
impact of their metabolic disorder.


 
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                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1423
                                   Page 2


     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your
Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No.
326, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

                                 Respectfully submitted on behalf
                                 of the members of the Committee
                                 on Ways and Means,



                                 ________________________________
                                 CAROL FUKUNAGA, Co-Chair



                                 ________________________________
                                 ANDREW LEVIN, Co-Chair

 
a                                                     HB326 SD1