STAND. COM. REP. NO.  516

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2007

RE:   H.B. No. 1118

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 1118 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to mandate health insurance coverage for prostate cancer and colorectal cancer screening by all health and accident insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations in the State. 

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death among native Hawaiians and the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States.  However, colorectal cancer screening can provide detection of precancerous polyps and early carcinomas resulting in either less extensive surgery or only simple colonoscopic extraction in many cases so that no person diagnosed with these lesions need suffer and die from colon cancer.

     Your Committee finds that this measure will protect the health of residents of the State by preventing unnecessary deaths from prostate cancer and colon cancer. 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Teachers Association, Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, Pearl Harbor Hawaiian Civic Club, and one individual.  Kaiser Permanente submitted testimony in opposition to this measure, while the Insurance Commissioner and Hawaii Medical Service Association submitted comments.

     Your Committee believes that the health coverage for prostate cancer and colorectal cancer screening required by this bill will not only save lives but also prove to be cost-effective by preventing the need for more extensive and expensive medical procedures.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1118 and recommends that it be referred to the Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

ROBERT N. HERKES, Chair