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THE SENATE |
S.C.R. NO. |
8 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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SENATE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO ASSESS BOTH THE SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL EFFECTS OF PROPOSED MANDATED HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR A PERCENTAGE OF THE COSTS OF INTRAVENOUS KETAMINE THERAPY TO TREAT DEPRESSION.
WHEREAS, the State has a duty to protect and improve the health and environment of the people; and
WHEREAS, a number of state residents suffer from various mental health illnesses; and
WHEREAS, according to an article published in Current Neuropharmacology, the use of ketamine is a valid antidepressant option for the treatment of treatment-resistant depression and has rapid antidepressant effects; and
WHEREAS, S.B. No. 967, Regular Session of 2025, proposes to mandate insurance coverage for an unspecified percentage of the costs of intravenous ketamine therapy to treat depression; 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, concurrent resolutions shall be passed requesting the Auditor to prepare and submit to the Legislature a report that assesses both the social and financial effects of the proposed mandated coverage; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Auditor is requested to assess, pursuant to section 23-51, Hawaii Revised Statutes, both the social and financial effects of the proposed mandated health insurance coverage under S.B. No. 967, Regular Session of 2025, which proposes mandated insurance coverage for a percentage of the costs of intravenous ketamine therapy to treat depression; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor is requested to assess the proposed mandated insurance coverage for various percentages of the costs of intravenous ketamine therapy to treat depression in qualifying patients; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor is requested to submit a report of the Auditor's findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2026; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Auditor and Insurance Commissioner.
Health; Medicaid; Insurance; Ketamine Therapy; Auditor; Report