Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 3222 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to include naturopathy among the required personal injury protection benefits in a motor vehicle insurance policy.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by Hawaii Society of Naturopathic Physicians, Natural Health and Pain Relief Clinic, Sacred Healing Arts, and six individuals. Testimony in opposition to this measure was submitted by Hawaii Insurers Council and State Farm Insurance Companies. Comments were also submitted by the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

Your Committee finds that naturopathy coverage is currently voluntary under Hawaii's motor vehicle insurance statutes. Naturopathy is a treatment that is helpful and should be a mandated benefit. Your Committee believes that this measure will help consumers by mandating naturopathy as a required personal injury protection benefit.

Your Committee adopted the amendments suggested by State Farm Insurance Companies and others, which were agreed to by the measure's proponents. Specifically, this measure was amended by placing naturopathists under the same visit and cost cap as chiropractors and acupuncturists. Your Committee has also amended this measure to make technical, nonsubstantive changes.

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. 3222, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3222, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing.