SCR106.DOC

WHEREAS, childhood obesity constitutes one of Hawaii's most pressing health problems today; and

WHEREAS, obesity in children has been associated with the growing incidence of type II diabetes, poor self-esteem, and poor health as adults; and

WHEREAS, pediatricians are usually the first line of intervention regarding a child's health; and

WHEREAS, anticipatory guidance from pediatricians and family physicians offers an effective means to evaluate, treat, and prevent obesity; and

WHEREAS, the Hawaii pediatric weight management toolkit was designed to be used by physicians in response to the childhood obesity epidemic here in Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, it is important to ensure that health insurance providers cover weight management and obesity prevention for all children in this State; 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, Hawaii Revised Statutes, 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 minimum, information identifying the:

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

(B) Extent of the coverage;

(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, S.B. No. 794 (2009) mandates coverage for weight management and obesity prevention for children in all individual and group accident and health or sickness insurance policies; and

WHEREAS, the Legislature believes that coverage for weight management and obesity prevention for children, as provided in S.B. No. 794 (2009), 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 Senate of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2009, the House of Representatives 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 for weight management and obesity prevention for children in all individual and group accident and health or sickness insurance policies, as provided in S.B. No. 794 (2009); and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor is requested to submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature, including any necessary implementing legislation, not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2010; 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.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Auditor Study; Health Insurance; Coverage; Obesity Prevention

THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	106
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009
STATE OF HAWAII