STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1450

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 57

       S.D. 1

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 57, 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 SURVIVORS OF TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Auditor to assess the social and financial effects of requiring health insurers in Hawaii to provide coverage for therapy and services relating to treating traumatic brain injuries.

     Your Committee finds that survivors of traumatic brain injuries face a long rehabilitation process, including therapies and services that may not be covered by health insurance.  Senate Bill No. 1227, requiring health insurers in the State to cover therapies and services relating to traumatic brain injuries, was introduced during the 2013 Regular Session.  Your Committee finds that this Concurrent Resolution, requiring the Auditor to assess the social and financial impacts of the proposed coverage mandate, meets the requirements of sections 23-51 and 23-52, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     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. 57, 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