STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 1528
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2025
RE: H.C.R. No. 185
Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2025
State of Hawaii
Madame:
Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 185 entitled:
"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL ASSESSMENT OF PROPOSED MANDATORY HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR NATIVE HAWAIIAN HEALING AND CULTURAL PRACTICES OFFERED THROUGH FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The
purpose of this measure is to request
the Auditor to conduct a social and financial assessment of proposed mandatory
health insurance coverage for Native Hawaiian healing and cultural practices
offered through federally qualified health centers.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure
from the Waimānalo Health Center; Hāna Health; Mālama I Ke Ola
Health Center; Health Committee of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i;
Leeward Massage Therapy Center; and four individuals. Your Committee received comments on this
measure from Papa Ola Lōkahi.
Your Committee finds
that although multiple federally qualified health centers in the State offer
Native Hawaiian healing practices in tandem with other western health care
practices, only two health insurers voluntarily provide coverage for these
services. Your Committee further finds
that House Bill No. 641, Regular Session of 2025 (HB641), proposes requiring,
among other things, all health insurers in the State to cover Native Hawaiian
healing and cultural practices offered through federally qualified health
centers, which would be considered a new mandated health insurance benefit.
Your Committee further
finds that, pursuant to sections 23-51 and 23-52, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the
social and financial impact of a proposed mandated health insurance benefit
must be assessed by the Auditor before it can be enacted into law. This measure therefore requests the
Auditor to conduct a statutorily required impact assessment report on the
social and financial effects of the new mandated health insurance benefit
proposed by HB641.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 185 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,
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____________________________ GREGG TAKAYAMA, Chair |
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