Bill > SCR151

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, as proposed in Senate Bill No. 1494 for the 2025 Regular Session. The resolution seeks a detailed analysis that includes determining the number of residents with hearing loss, researching current hearing aid coverage standards across public and private entities, examining replacement frequency standards for adults and minors, investigating medically necessary standards for hearing aid selection, and exploring existing and potential future hearing aid technologies. The resolution stems from previous legislative efforts to understand the financial burden of hearing aids, noting that digital hearing aids can cost $3,000 or more and that approximately one-third of Americans between 65-75 and half of those over 75 experience hearing loss. The Auditor is specifically requested to submit a report with findings and recommendations no later than twenty days before the 2026 Regular Session and is instructed to complete the assessment regardless of external requests to cease work, in accordance with Hawaii Revised Statutes sections 23-51 and 23-52.

Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SCR&billnumber=151&year=2025