Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 39, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Auditor to assess the social and financial effects of requiring health insurers to offer coverage for marriage and family therapy.

Your Committee finds that this measure must be adopted in order for S.B. No. 1228, S.D. 2, to be considered. The bill mandates coverage of marriage and family therapy among the mental illness, alcohol and drug dependence benefits required in accident and health or sickness policies.

Your Committee has made technical nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and style.

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 concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 39, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 39, S.D. 2.