SCR134.DOC

WHEREAS, breastfeeding provides infants with nutrients for healthy growth, delivers antibodies to develop an infant's immune system; reduces the risk of jaundice in infants, and decreases the risk of allergies; and

WHEREAS, breastfeeding provides physical and psychological benefits, including increased bonding between the mother and infant when breastfeeding techniques are properly learned; and

WHEREAS, in addition to the health benefits for the mother and infant, breastfeeding offers environmental benefits in that it produces less non-recyclable waste than bottle feeding and leaves no carbon footprint; and

WHEREAS, a lactation consultant is a health care professional, often a nurse, whose most important role is offering breastfeeding assistance and education, assisting mothers to breastfeed comfortably and effectively; and

WHEREAS, a visit with a lactation consultant often provides a mother with the support, education, and confidence to breastfeed successfully and results in healthier infants and mothers and reduces the likelihood of illnesses, allergies, and costly medical treatments; and

WHEREAS, section 23‑51, Hawaii Revised Statutes, requires that:

"Before 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 23-52, Hawaii Revised Statutes, sets forth the information to be included in the Auditor's report; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fourth 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 impact of mandating health insurance coverage for lactation consultant services, as further described by Senate Bill No. and House Bill No. ; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor is requested to submit a report of findings and recommendations to the Legislature, which shall include any necessary legislation, at least 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 the Insurance Commissioner, who, in turn, is requested to transmit copies to each organization that issues health insurance policies in the State.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Insurance Coverage; Lactation Consultants

THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	134
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009
STATE OF HAWAII