Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 3222, S.D. 2, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to include naturopathy among the required personal injury protection benefits in a motor vehicle insurance policy, with the same limitations as are imposed on chiropractic and acupuncture treatment.

Your Committee heard testimony in support of this bill from the Hawaii Insurers Council, Hawaii Society of Naturopathic Physicians, seven naturopathic physicians, and two patients of naturopathic physicians. The Insurance Commissioner of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (Insurance Commissioner) and State Farm Insurance Companies commented.

The Insurance Commissioner testified that the impact on premiums was likely to be minimal. However, State Farm Insurance Companies, while not opposing the bill, cautioned that it could result in a demand for equal treatment by other alternative health care providers.

Your Committee has amended this bill by replacing its substance with that of H.B. No. 1717, H.D. 2, a similar bill that was reported out of this Committee earlier in the session.

As amended, the bill:

(3) Is effective upon its approval.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3222, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3222, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Finance.