Hawaii Senate Bill SCR159

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/8/24
• Refer: 3/14/24
• Report Pass: 4/3/24
• Engrossed: 4/4/24
• Refer: 4/5/24

Caption

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

Impact

The resolution emphasizes that biomarker testing is an essential component of personalized healthcare, allowing healthcare providers to tailor treatment plans based on specific biomarkers present in a patient’s biological samples. By improving access to such testing, the resolution aims to enhance patient care and outcomes. The Auditor's assessment will provide empirical data that can inform legislative decisions about potential healthcare policy changes and their financial ramifications for insurers and patients alike.

Summary

SCR159, known as the Senate Concurrent Resolution, requests the Auditor to assess the social and financial effects of mandating health insurance coverage for biomarker testing in Hawaii. The resolution aims to explore the implications of mandatory coverage on health insurance policies, specifically regarding House Bill No. 2223, which proposes that insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations provide coverage for medically necessary biomarker testing. This type of testing is acknowledged as vital for the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases, offering a more individualized approach to medical care.

Contention

While proponents argue that mandatory coverage will improve access to necessary medical testing and help in the effective management of diseases, there may be concerns regarding the financial burden this could place on insurance providers and the healthcare system as a whole. Additionally, the commitment to comprehensive coverage might face opposition from stakeholders worried about increased healthcare costs potentially being passed onto consumers. The Auditor's report will play a crucial role in addressing these points of contention by providing a thorough analysis of the expected social and economic impacts.