THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	165
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

urging health insurance providers to provide coverage for routine SCREENINGS OF sexually transmitted infection and human immunodeficiency virus for all persons, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, race, or ethnicity or the presentation of possible symptoms of any sexually transmitted infection and human immunodeficiency virus.

WHEREAS, screening for sexually transmitted infections and human immunodeficiency virus is vital for individual and public health; and

WHEREAS, in 2018, the United States experienced a record number of confirmed cases of syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia infections; and

WHEREAS, screening is defined as routine testing for patients without symptoms, as opposed to diagnostic testing, which is defined as testing to investigate symptoms; and

WHEREAS, many observations of sexually transmitted infections are asymptomatic, and patients may be unaware of their status without screening; and

WHEREAS, health insurance provider policies may not cover sexually transmitted infection and human immunodeficiency virus screenings to individuals of specific demographic groups determined to be of lower risk; and

WHEREAS, individual persons possess a better understanding of their own health and level of risk; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirtieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2020, the House of Representatives concurring, that health insurance companies are urged to provide coverage for routine screenings of sexually transmitted infection and human immunodeficiency virus for all persons, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, race, or ethnicity or the presentation of possible symptoms of any sexually transmitted infection and human immunodeficiency virus; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted 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:

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Report Title:

Health Insurance; Sexually Transmitted Infection; Coverage