Hawaii Senate Bill SCR29

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/4/25
• Refer: 3/6/25

Caption

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

Impact

The concurrent resolution's significance lies in its directive for the auditor to evaluate the proposed coverage mandated by House Bill No. 553, H.D. 1, which will require insurers to provide coverage for medically necessary biomarker testing starting January 1, 2026. This step aims to address current barriers in accessing biomarker testing due to limitations imposed by insurers when determining medical necessity. It indicates a legislative intention to improve health care quality through enhanced access to personalized medicine.

Summary

SCR29, known as the Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 29, requests an assessment by the auditor regarding the social and financial effects of mandatory health insurance coverage for biomarker testing. Biomarker testing serves as a crucial clinical tool applicable in diagnostics, treatment management, and monitoring of diseases by analyzing patient biospecimens for specific biomarkers. These biomarkers can be indicative of a wide array of medical conditions ranging from cancers to Alzheimer’s disease.

Contention

Debate over SCR29 may center on the implications of mandatory insurance coverage. While proponents, including health care advocates, argue that mandated coverage for such essential testing is necessary for high-quality patient care, opponents may raise concerns about the financial burden it could impose on the insurance companies and the healthcare system as a whole. The auditor's forthcoming assessment report will play a crucial role in informing this debate by highlighting potential social and financial impacts of such mandates.