Bill > SR57

This Resolution formally requests the State Auditor to conduct a comprehensive social and financial assessment of House Bill No. 249, a proposed law that aims to prevent discrimination in reproductive healthcare services and mandate that health insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations cover a range of reproductive health services, drugs, devices, products, and procedures without requiring patients to pay any out-of-pocket costs (known as cost-sharing). This assessment is being requested because Hawaii law (section 23-51, Hawaii Revised Statutes) requires such an evaluation before the Legislature considers any legislation that mandates health insurance coverage for specific services, diseases, or providers. The Auditor is tasked with submitting a report of their findings and any legislative recommendations to the Legislature at least twenty days before the start of the 2023 Regular Session, with copies of this Resolution being sent to the Auditor, the Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, and the Insurance Commissioner. The context for this resolution highlights concerns about the ongoing threats to federal protections for reproductive healthcare and the potential impact of such changes on Hawaii residents' access to care and economic security.