THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	8
TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO ASSESS THE SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL EFFECTS OF REQUIRING HEALTH INSURERS TO provide COVERAGE FOR naturopathic medicine.

     WHEREAS, naturopathic medicine is an alternative medical system that focuses on natural remedies and the human body's ability to heal and maintain itself; and

     WHEREAS, naturopathic medicine favors a holistic approach and finding the least invasive measures necessary for symptom improvement or resolution, encouraging minimal use of surgery and drugs; and

     WHEREAS, according to the American Cancer Society, naturopathy is "a complete alternative care system that uses a wide range of approaches such as nutrition, herbs, manipulation of the body, exercise, stress reduction, and acupuncture"; and

     WHEREAS, naturopathic medicine has become recognized as a therapy for many types of illnesses that is comparable in its effectiveness to more traditional medical and surgical practices; and

     WHEREAS, in Hawaii, naturopathic medicine is a mandatory reimbursable expense under workers' compensation insurance and a personal injury benefit under automobile insurance policies; and

     WHEREAS, health insurance policies in Hawaii are not required to cover naturopathic medicine, and most of the major health insurers in Hawaii do not provide coverage for the services of licensed naturopathic physicians; 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, S.B. No.     (2011) mandates coverage of naturopathic medicine for all policies and contracts, hospital and medical service plan contracts, medical service corporation contracts, and health maintenance organization plans and contracts issued on or after January 1, 2012; and

     WHEREAS, the Legislature believes that mandatory health insurance coverage naturopathic medicine as provided in S.B. No.     (2011), 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-sixth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2011, 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 of naturopathic medicine for all policies and contracts, hospital and medical service plan contracts, medical service corporation contracts, and health maintenance organization plans and contracts issued on or after January 1, 2012, as provided in S.B. No.     (2011); and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor is requested to submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature, including any necessary implementing legislation, twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2012; 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: 

Mandatory Coverage for Naturopathic Medicine; Auditor Study