Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 1228 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to include marriage and family therapy among the mental illness and alcohol and drug dependence benefits required for hospital and medical coverage offered under accident and sickness insurance policies and similar insurance products.

The YWCA of Kauai, Children's Justice Center of Maui, Ka Lima O Maui, Hale Ipu Kukui Alaka'i, Advocacy & Referral Ministry, the Bobby Benson Center, Catholic Charities Hawaii, Aloha House Maui, Ka Hale A Ke Ola Homeless Resource Center, the faculty of the Masters in Counseling Psychology program at Chaminade University, Church of the Crossroads, three members from Samaritan Counseling Center of Hawaii, and twenty-six individuals submitted testimony in support of this measure. Hawaii Medical Service Association submitted comments.

Your Committee finds that marriage and family therapists are licensed mental health professionals trained to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders within the context of an individual's relationships. Marriage and family therapists treat a wide range of serious clinical problems, including various forms of mental illness, alcohol dependence, and substance abuse issues. As some proponents noted, there are simply not enough professional mental health clinicians to meet the needs of Hawaii residents, and to exclude an entire category of highly trained mental health professional from billing for insurance reimbursement places a greater strain on an already burdened system. Inclusion of marriage and family therapy among the mental illness and alcohol and drug dependence benefits will provide greater access to mental health services to the presently under-served families of Hawaii.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, non-substantive amendments for clarity and style.

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. 1228, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1228, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Housing.