Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 4 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this resolution is to request that the Auditor assess the social and financial effects of requiring health insurers to offer coverage for smoking cessation programs.

The Hawaii Medical Service Association and Kaiser Permanente testified in opposition.

Your Committee finds that smoking is directly responsible for eighty-seven per cent of lung cancer cases, causes most cases of emphysema and chronic bronchitis, and is a major factor in coronary heart disease and stroke. In addition, smoking by parents is associated with a wide range of adverse effects in their children. An impact assessment of mandating coverage for smoking cessation programs in health insurance plans will provide the Legislature with findings and recommendations for decision-making.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 4 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.