Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 1321 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to expand the definition of "serious mental illness" so that people with different types of serious mental illness will have access to treatment with continued parity reimbursement and treatment requirements.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Governor, Department of Health, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Hawaii Government Employees Association – AFSCME, Hawaii Psychological Association, Equal Insurance Coalition, Mental Health Association in Hawaii, NAMI Oahu, National Association of Social Workers, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Hawaii Medical Association, Blueprint for Change, and eight individuals. Oral testimony in support was received from the Hawaii Psychiatric Association and two individuals. HMSA, Kaiser Permanente, and the Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii submitted testimony opposing this measure.

Specifically, this measure adds delusional disorder, bipolar types I and II, major depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, and dissociative disorder as serious mental illnesses, and repeals the June 30, 2003, sunset date of full parity of serious mental illness health-insurance benefits with physical health insurance benefits.

Your Committee finds that current law provides there should be "parity" between the insurance benefits provided to persons who suffer from serious mental illness and those who suffer from other medical conditions. However, the law is scheduled to sunset later this year and does not require parity in benefits for some of the most serious conditions, such as depression. This measure reaffirms the State's commitment to equal treatment for all of its citizens. It eliminates distinctions that set the seriously mentally ill apart, and places them on an equal footing with persons who suffer from physical illnesses.

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 S.B. No. 1321 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing.