HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	62
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO ASSESS THE SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL EFFECTS OF REQUIRING HEALTH INSURERS TO PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS.

     WHEREAS, "autism spectrum disorders" means any of the pervasive developmental disorders as defined by the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, including autistic disorder, Asperger’s disorder, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified, Rett’s disorder, and childhood disintegrative disorder; and

     WHEREAS, autism spectrum disorders are characterized by varying degrees of impairment in communication skills, social interactions, and restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior that affect an estimated 3.4 out of every one thousand children three to ten years of age and that cause major disruptions in families and unfulfilled lives for many children; and

WHEREAS, section 23‑51, Hawaii Revised Statutes, requires that "[b]efore any legislative measure that mandates health insurance coverage for specific health services, specific diseases, or certain providers of health care services as part of individual or group health insurance policies, can be considered, there shall be concurrent resolutions passed requesting the auditor to prepare and submit to the legislature a report that assesses both the social and financial effects of the proposed mandated coverage"; and

     WHEREAS, section 23-51 further provides that "[t]he concurrent resolutions shall designate a specific legislative bill that:

     (1)  Has been introduced in the legislature; and

     (2)  Includes, at a minimum, information identifying the:

          (A)  Specific health service, disease, or provider that would be covered;

          (B)  Extent of the coverage;

          (C)  Target groups that would be covered;

          (D)  Limits on utilization, if any; and

          (E)  Standards of care.

For purposes of this part, mandated health insurance coverage shall not include mandated optionals"; and

     WHEREAS, section 23-52, Hawaii Revised Statutes, further specifies the minimum information required for assessing the social and financial impact of the proposed health coverage mandate in the Auditor's report; and

     WHEREAS, H.B. No. 2727 (2008) mandates coverage of diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders for individuals under twenty-one years of age for all policies and contracts, hospital and medical service plan contracts, medical service corporation contracts, and health maintenance organization plans and contracts issued after December 31, 2008; and

     WHEREAS, the Legislature believes that mandatory health insurance coverage of diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders, as provided in H.B. No. 2727 (2008), will substantially reduce illness and assist in the maintenance of good health for the people of this state; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-fourth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2008, the Senate concurring, that the Auditor is requested to conduct an impact assessment report, pursuant to sections 23‑51 and 23‑52, Hawaii Revised Statutes, of the social and financial impacts of mandating coverage of diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders for all policies and contracts, hospital and medical service plan contracts, medical service corporation contracts, and health maintenance organization plans and contracts issued after December 31, 2008, as provided in H.B. No. 2727 (2008); and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor is requested to submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature, including any necessary implementing legislation, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2009; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Auditor and to the Insurance Commissioner, who in turn is requested to transmit copies to each insurer in the state that issues health insurance policies.

Report Title: 

Autism Spectrum Disorders; Mandatory Health Coverage