STAND. COM. REP. NO. 658-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 1774

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 1774, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COVERAGE FOR MAMMOGRAPHY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require health insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations to cover mandated services for mammography at least as favorably as coverage for other radiological examinations.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Hawaii Medical Association, and Hawaii Women Lawyers. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

Your Committee finds that at this time, a mammogram is the best way to find breast cancer for most women of screening age. Delays in diagnosis and treatment can have adverse health outcomes. According to the Hawaii Cancer Plan 2030, increasing breast cancer screening rates is a priority for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funded programs, Hawaii Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program, and Hawaii Comprehensive Cancer Control Program in the Department of Health.

Your Committee further finds that ensuring a base level of coverage for breast cancer screening by providing coverage for mammograms is a means of ensuring that women obtain their exams routinely. In this manner, women are more apt to discover breast cancer at an early stage when treatment options have the best chance of success.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1774, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1774, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair