Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 1065 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to provide fairness and equality in mental health benefits coverage to those suffering from mental health disorders by urging parity in the coverage provided for these disorders, with coverage for other illnesses and injuries.

The Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Hawaii Psychological Association, and a member of the community supported this bill. Kaiser Permanente supported the intent of this bill. The Department of Taxation and HMSA opposed this bill. The Department of Health, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, and Tax Foundation of Hawaii provided comments.

Your Committee notes that ensuring equality in health coverage for those with mental health disorders is essential in allowing and encouraging people to gain access to the appropriate medical treatment. To fully realize this intent, your Committee has amended this bill by:

(3) Delaying the date of completion for the study

(5) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for

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 H.B. No. 1065, as amended herein and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1065, H.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.