HB 556: RELATING TO COLORECTAL CANCER.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO COLORECTAL CANCER.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Chapter 346, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part II to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§346-     State-funded assistance for colorectal cancer screenings.  (a)  The department shall provide state‑funded financial assistance, as appropriated by the legislature, to pay for colorectal cancer screenings for residents of the State who:

     (1)  Are uninsured;

     (2)  Have health care coverage that does not provide coverage without cost sharing for colorectal cancer screenings that meet the requirements of sections 431:10A-122 and 432:1-617;

     (3)  Are permanent United States resident aliens but are ineligible for medicaid; or

     (4)  Are nonresident aliens and are ineligible for medicaid.

     (b)  The state-funded colorectal cancer screenings shall meet the requirements of sections 431:10A-122 and 432:1-617."

     SECTION 2.  Section 431:10A-122, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "[[]§431:10A-122[]  Colon] Colorectal cancer screening coverage.  (a)  Each policy of accident and health or sickness insurance providing coverage for health care, except for policies that only provide coverage for specified diseases or other limited benefit coverage, shall provide coverage for [colorectal-cancer] colorectal cancer screening by all A and B grade screening modalities as recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force.

     (b)  For purposes of this section, all coverage for colorectal cancer screenings shall be consistent with the Affordable Care Act implementation frequently asked questions published by the United States Department of Labor, United States Department of Health and Human Services, and United States Department of the Treasury.

     [(b)] (c)  Beginning March 1, 2011, all health insurance providers in Hawaii shall inform their insured about the risk associated with undiagnosed [colorectal-cancer] colorectal cancer and encourage the insured to consult with the insured's physician about available screening options."

     SECTION 3.  Section 432:1-617, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "[[]§432:1-617[]   Colon] Colorectal cancer screening coverage.  (a)  All individual and group hospital and medical service contracts providing health care coverage shall provide coverage for [colorectal-cancer] colorectal cancer screening by all A and B grade screening modalities as recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force.

     (b)  For purposes of this section, all coverage for colorectal cancer screenings shall be consistent with the Affordable Care Act implementation frequently asked questions published by the United States Department of Labor, United States Department of Health and Human Services, and United States Department of the Treasury.

     [(b)] (c)  Beginning March 1, 2011, all health insurance providers in Hawaii shall inform their insured of the risk associated with undiagnosed colorectal cancer and encourage the insured to consult with the insured's physician about available screening options."

     SECTION 4.  (a)  The department of human services shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to implement section 1 of this Act, including rules establishing an application process for state-funded colorectal cancer screenings.

     (b)  In adopting rules pursuant to this Act, the department shall ensure that:

     (1)  The state-funded colorectal cancer screenings meet the requirements of sections 431:10A-122 and 432:1-617, Hawaii Revised Statutes; and

     (2)  No cost-sharing requirements are imposed.

     SECTION 5.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the department of human services to develop and implement a public assistance program offering state-funded colorectal cancer screenings.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 6.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 7.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

DHS; Colorectal Cancer Screenings; State-Funded Public Assistance; Appropriation

Description:

Requires and appropriates funds for the Department of Human Services to develop and implement a public assistance program offering state-funded colorectal screenings for certain persons.  Requires coverage for all colorectal cancer screenings in the State to be consistent with the Affordable Care Act Implementation Frequently Asked Questions published by the United States Department of Labor, United States Department of Health and Human Services, and United States Department of the Treasury.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to colorectal cancer.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Chapter 346, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part II to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§346-     State-funded assistance for colorectal cancer screenings.  (a)  The department shall provide financial assistance, as appropriated by the legislature, to pay for colorectal cancer screenings for residents of the State who:

     (1)  Are uninsured;

     (2)  Have healthcare coverage that does not provide coverage without cost sharing for colorectal cancer screenings that meet the requirements of sections 431:10A-122 and 432:1-617;

     (3)  Are permanent United States resident aliens but are ineligible for medicare; or

     (4)  Are nonresident aliens and are ineligible for medicare.

     (b)  The state-funded screenings shall meet the requirements of sections 431:10A-122 and 432:1-617."

     SECTION 2.  Section 431:10A-122, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "[[]§431:10A-122[]  Colon] Colorectal cancer screening coverage.  (a)  Each policy of accident and health or sickness insurance providing coverage for health care, except for policies that only provide coverage for specified diseases or other limited benefit coverage, shall provide coverage for [colorectal-cancer] colorectal cancer screening by all A and B grade screening modalities as recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force.

     (b)  For purposes of this section, all coverage for colorectal cancer screenings shall be consistent with the Affordable Care Act implementation frequently asked questions published by the United States Department of Labor, United States Department of Health and Human Services, and United States Department of the Treasury.

     [(b)] (c)  Beginning March 1, 2011, all health insurance providers in Hawaii shall inform their insured about the risk associated with undiagnosed [colorectal-cancer] colorectal cancer and encourage the insured to consult with the insured's physician about available screening options."

     SECTION 3.  Section 432:1-617, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "[[]§432:1-617[]   Colon] Colorectal cancer screening coverage.  (a)  All individual and group hospital and medical service contracts providing health care coverage shall provide coverage for [colorectal-cancer] colorectal cancer screening by all A and B grade screening modalities as recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force.

     (b)  For purposes of this section, all coverage for colorectal cancer screenings shall be consistent with the Affordable Care Act implementation frequently asked questions published by the United States Department of Labor, United States Department of Health and Human Services, and United States Department of the Treasury.

     [(b)] (c)  Beginning March 1, 2011, all health insurance providers in Hawaii shall inform their insured of the risk associated with undiagnosed colorectal cancer and encourage the insured to consult with the insured's physician about available screening options."

     SECTION 4.  (a)  The department of human services shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 to implement section 1 of this Act, including rules establishing an application process for state-funded colorectal cancer screenings.

     (b)  In adopting rules pursuant to this Act, the department shall ensure that:

     (1)  The state-funded colorectal cancer screenings meet the requirements of sections 431:10A-122 and 432:1-617; and

     (2)  No cost-sharing requirements are imposed.

     SECTION 5.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $         or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the department of human services to develop and implement a public assistance program offering state-funded colorectal cancer screenings.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 6.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 7.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

Report Title:

DHS; Colorectal Cancer Screenings; State-Funded; Appropriation

Description:

Requires and appropriates moneys for the Department of Human Services to develop and implement a public assistance program offering state-funded colorectal screenings for certain persons.  Requires coverage for all colorectal cancer screenings in the State to be consistent with the Affordable Care Act Implementation Frequently Asked Questions published by the United States Department of Labor, United States Department of Health and Human Services, and United States Department of the Treasury.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  71

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 556

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committees on Health and Human Services & Homelessness, to which was referred H.B. No. 556 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COLORECTAL CANCER,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to provide state-funded financial assistance for colorectal cancer screenings to certain Hawaii residents.  

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Community Clinic of Maui-Mālama I Ke Ola Health Center; Hawaiʻi Primary Care Association; Fight Colorectal Cancer; American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network; Hawaii Association of Health Plans; Hawaiʻi Association of Professional Nurses; and six individuals.  Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services; Department of Health; and Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

     Your Committees find colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer in Hawaii and the third leading cause of cancer deaths nationwide.  Your Committees further find that screening is vital for the early detection of colorectal cancer.  However, not all residents of Hawaii have access to health insurance that provides no-cost colorectal cancer screening.  Deaths from colorectal cancer are largely preventable and this measure will increase access to preventative health screenings, which will improve health outcomes for more Hawaii residents.

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

     (1)  Clarifying that the state-funded colorectal screenings are for residents of the State who are permanent United States resident aliens and nonresident aliens who are ineligible for Medicaid, rather than Medicare;

     (2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

     (3)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Health and Human Services & Homelessness that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 556, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 556, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Health and Human Services & Homelessness,