Hawaii 2023 Regular Session

Hawaii Senate Bill SR98

Introduced
3/10/23  
Refer
3/15/23  

Caption

Requesting The Auditor To Assess The Social And Financial Effects Of Mandating Health Insurance Coverage For Ambulance And Community Paramedicine Services.

Impact

The resolution mandates that the Auditor prepare a report following the guidelines set out in Hawaii Revised Statutes. Specifically, sections 23-51 and 23-52 mandate that an assessment of the proposed health coverage includes minimum information such as the scope of coverage and the target groups that would benefit from such mandates. The inclusion of community paramedicine services is particularly significant as it represents a model of healthcare that could enhance access to essential services for underserved populations, potentially reducing overall healthcare costs.

Summary

Senate Resolution 98 (SR98) is aimed at requesting the Auditor of Hawaii to assess the social and financial effects of mandating health insurance coverage for ambulance services and community paramedicine services provided statewide by emergency medical technicians or paramedics. The resolution highlights the potential for misuse of emergency services where non-emergency health conditions lead to unnecessary hospital transfers, thereby wasting health resources and impacting the provision of critical care services for genuine emergencies.

Contention

SR98 underscores the importance of sustainable reimbursement mechanisms to support community paramedicine systems. As part of the assessment, the Auditor will also explore how the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act impacts these services, delving into issues such as cost implications for extending coverage beyond essential health benefits. The potential for additional financial burdens on the state's health insurance framework presents a notable point of contention among stakeholders, raising questions about affordability and access to care.

Companion Bills

HI SCR199

Same As Requesting The Auditor To Assess The Social And Financial Effects Of Mandating Health Insurance Coverage For Ambulance And Community Paramedicine Services.

Previously Filed As

HI SR183

Requesting The Auditor To Conduct A Social And Financial Assessment On Mandating Dental And Vision Insurance Coverage.

HI SCR207

Requesting The Auditor To Conduct A Social And Financial Assessment On Mandating Dental And Vision Insurance Coverage.

HI SCR159

Requesting The Auditor To Assess The Social And Financial Effects Of Mandatory Health Insurance Coverage For Biomarker Testing.

HI HCR53

Requesting The Auditor To Assess The Social And Financial Effects Of Mandatory Health Insurance Coverage For Biomarker Testing.

HI SR76

Requesting The Auditor To Assess Both The Social And Financial Effects Of Proposed Mandated Health Insurance Coverage For A Percentage Of The Costs Of Ketamine Therapy To Treat Depression And Suicide Ideation.

HI SCR26

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.

HI HCR225

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.

HI SCR90

Requesting The Auditor To Assess Both The Social And Financial Effects Of Proposed Mandated Health Insurance Coverage For A Percentage Of The Costs Of Ketamine Therapy To Treat Depression And Suicide Ideation.

HI SR143

Requesting The Auditor To Conduct A Program Audit Of The State's Child Protective Services System.

HI SR106

Requesting The Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund And The Insurance Commissioner To Assess The Impacts Of Climate Change On Homeowner's Insurance.

Similar Bills

CA SB944

Community Paramedicine Act of 2018.

CA AB2775

Emergency medical services.

CA AB767

Community Paramedicine or Triage to Alternate Destination Act.

CA SB1180

Health care coverage: emergency medical services.

CA AB1544

Community Paramedicine or Triage to Alternate Destination Act.

CA AB3115

Community Paramedicine or Triage to Alternate Destination Act.