HB1118

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death among native Hawaiians and the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. While ninety-three per cent of colorectal cancer cases are diagnosed in individuals older than fifty years of age, colorectal cancer screening via colonoscopy can provide detection of precancerous adenomatous colonic polyps and early carcinomas with a sensitivity of greater than ninety per cent 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.

The likelihood of developing prostate cancer in men is one in six and prostate cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in native Hawaiians and a leading cause of cancer death nationwide. The use of prostate cancer screening, including digital rectal examination and the prostate specific antigen blood test can result in early detection and treatment of prostate cancer. Medicare insurance already covers colonoscopies and annual prostate specific antigen testing for the medicare population.

The purpose of this Act is to require health coverage for prostate cancer and colorectal cancer screening in the State.

SECTION 2. Chapter 431, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to article 10A to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§431:10A- Coverage for prostate cancer and colorectal cancer screening; notice. (a) Any other law to the contrary notwithstanding, each employer group health policy, contract, plan, or agreement issued or renewed in this State after December 31, 2007, shall provide, not as an employer option, coverage for prostate cancer and colorectal cancer screening for the policyholder and individuals covered under the policy, contract, plan, or agreement.

(b) Every insurer shall provide notice to its policyholders regarding the coverage required by this section. The notice shall be in writing and prominently positioned in any literature or correspondence sent to policyholders and shall be transmitted to policyholders within calendar year 2008 when annual information is made available to policyholders, or in any other mailing to policyholders, but in no case later than December 31, 2008."

SECTION 3. Chapter 432, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§432- Coverage for prostate cancer and colorectal cancer screening; notice. (a) Any other law to the contrary notwithstanding, each individual and group hospital or medical service plan, policy, contract, or agreement issued or renewed in this State after December 31, 2007, shall provide, not as an employer option, coverage for prostate cancer and colorectal cancer screening for the member and individuals covered under the service plan, policy, contract, or agreement.

(b) Every mutual benefit society shall provide notice to its members regarding the coverage required by this section. The notice shall be in writing and prominently positioned in any literature or correspondence sent to members and shall be transmitted to members within calendar year 2008 when annual information is made available to members, or in any other mailing to members, but in no case later than December 31, 2008."

SECTION 4. Section 432D-23, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§432D-23 Required provisions and benefits. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, each policy, contract, plan, or agreement issued in the State after January 1, 1995, by health maintenance organizations pursuant to this chapter, shall include benefits provided in sections 431:10-212, 431:10A-115, 431:10A-115.5, 431:10A-116, 431:10A-116.5, 431:10A-116.6, 431:10A-119, 431:10A-120, [~~and~~] 431:10A-121, and 431:10A‑ , and chapter 431M."

SECTION 5. The benefit to be provided by health maintenance organizations corresponding to the benefit provided under section 431:10A‑ , Hawaii Revised Statutes, as contained in the amendment to section 432D-23, Hawaii Revised Statutes, in section 4 of this Act, shall take effect for all policies, contracts, plans, or agreements issued in the State after December 31, 2007.

SECTION 6. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1118
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII