STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1288

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 23

       S.D. 1

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2011

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 23, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO ASSESS THE SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL EFFECTS OF REQUIRING HEALTH INSURERS TO PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY THAT IS PRESCRIBED BY A BOARD‑CERTIFIED SURGEON FOR CHRONIC PAIN,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request that the Auditor conduct an assessment of the social and financial impacts of mandating health insurance coverage for physical therapy that is prescribed by a board-certified surgeon to treat chronic pain.

     Your Committee received comments on this measure from James Hewson, member, Hawaii Chapter, American Physical Therapy Association.

     This measure requests the Auditor to assess the social and financial effects of requiring health coverage for physical therapy for chronic pain when prescribed by a board-certified surgeon as proposed under S.B. No. 679 (2011), pursuant to the procedural requirements under sections 23-51 and 23-52, Hawaii Revised Statutes, for legislation proposing mandatory health insurance coverage.

     Your Committee finds that patients in this State who suffer chronic pain, have recurring injuries, or have more than one injury that requires physical therapy within a calendar year are currently limited to eight sessions of physical therapy covered by health care insurance per year.  Your Committee further finds that requiring health insurers to provide coverage for physical therapy that is prescribed by a board-certified surgeon for chronic pain will substantially reduce illness and assist in the maintenance of good health for the people of this State.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 23, S.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair