Hawaii Senate Bill SCR26

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/5/24
• Refer: 3/14/24

Caption

Requesting The Auditor To Conduct A Social And Financial Assessment Of Proposed Mandatory Health Insurance Coverage For Step Therapy Requirements For Stage Two Through Stage Five Cancer.

Impact

SCR 26 aims to facilitate a legislative review that could potentially reshape health insurance norms, particularly regarding step therapy—a requirement compelling patients to first use less expensive medications before accessing preferred or newly developed treatments. By prohibiting such protocols for patients diagnosed with more advanced stages of cancer, proponents argue that it would allow patients greater access to potentially life-saving medications sooner in their treatment journey. The resolution calls for a comprehensive audit to evaluate not only the social implications but also the financial costs and benefits associated with these proposed changes in health insurance policy.

Summary

Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 26 requests the Auditor to assess the social and financial implications of implementing mandatory health insurance coverage for step therapy protocols concerning stage two through stage five cancer treatments. This resolution highlights the growing concern over cancer's impact on public health in Hawaii, where it constitutes the second leading cause of death, resulting in thousands of new diagnoses each year. The resolution is rooted in the statistics that prompt action against the stringent healthcare protocols associated with step therapy, which may impede timely access to effective treatments.

Contention

The introduction of SCR 26 may face challenges both from fiscal hawks wary of increased costs to insurance companies, which could result in higher premiums for consumers, and from medical professionals advocating for evidence-based practices in treatment protocols. While supporters believe that eliminating step therapy requirements could lead to better health outcomes, detractors may argue that it could encourage the use of more expensive treatments without ensuring their necessity or effectiveness, thus straining the healthcare system's resources.