Bill > SR121

This concurrent resolution requests the Hawaii State Auditor to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the social and financial implications of mandating health insurance coverage for hearing aids, specifically examining the proposed provisions in Senate Bill 1494 from the 2025 Regular Session. The resolution asks the Auditor to investigate several key aspects, including the number of residents potentially impacted by hearing aid costs, current replacement standards and coverage limitations across public and private entities, differences in replacement standards for adults and minors, existing medical standards for determining appropriate hearing aid types, and current and potential future hearing aid technologies. The assessment is requested pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes sections 23-51 and 23-52, which require a detailed analysis before implementing health insurance coverage mandates. The resolution emphasizes that the Auditor should complete the assessment regardless of external requests to cease work and submit a report with findings and recommendations no later than twenty days before the 2026 Regular Session. This request is motivated by data showing significant hearing loss among older populations, the high cost of hearing aids (approximately $3,000 per device), and the financial burden these costs impose on individuals who may delay or forgo necessary hearing assistance.

Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SR&billnumber=121&year=2025