THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	229
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

Requesting the auditor to ASsess the social and financial effects of mandating health insurance coverage FOR annual mental health wellness examinations.

WHEREAS, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately one in five Americans experience a mental illness or disorder each year; and

WHEREAS, less than half of those experiencing a mental illness or disorder receive mental health services, such as counseling or prescription medication; and

WHEREAS, health insurers are currently not required to cover annual mental health wellness examinations; and

WHEREAS, S.B. No.    , introduced during the Regular Session of 2022, requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations that provide coverage for health care to provide coverage for annual mental health wellness examinations; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to section 23-51, Hawaii Revised Statutes, 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 that designates a specific legislative bill for the Auditor to review and on which to prepare a report for submission to the Legislature that assesses both the social and financial effects of the proposed mandated coverage, and S.B. No.    , Regular Session of 2022, is such a measure; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2022, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Auditor is requested to conduct an assessment, pursuant to sections 23-51 and 23-52, Hawaii Revised Statutes, of the social and financial effects of mandating health insurance coverage for annual mental health wellness examinations, as proposed in S.B. No.    , which was introduced during the Regular Session of 2022; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2023; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Auditor and Insurance Commissioner.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Mental Health Wellness Examination; Auditor; Assessment