HCR 185: requesting the auditor to conduct a social and FINANCIAL ASSESSMENT of PROPOSED mandatory health insurance coverage for native hawaiian healing and cultural practices offered through federally qualified health centers.

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

requesting the auditor to conduct a social and FINANCIAL ASSESSMENT of PROPOSED mandatory health insurance coverage for native hawaiian healing and cultural practices offered through federally qualified health centers.

     WHEREAS, multiple federally qualified health centers in the State offer Native Hawaiian healing practices; and

     WHEREAS, these Native Hawaiian healing practices, such as lomilomi massage, ʻai pono, laʻau lapaʻau, and hoʻoponopono, are offered in tandem with other western health care services to address a variety of issues; and

     WHEREAS, these Native Hawaiian healing practices use cultural, traditional, and spiritual approaches to address patient health and healing and support whole person care; and

     WHEREAS, currently, only two health insurance providers in the State voluntarily cover Native Hawaiian healing and cultural practices; and

     WHEREAS, section 23-51, Hawaii Revised Statutes, requires that "[b]efore any legislative measure that mandates health insurance coverage for specific health services, specific diseases, or certain providers of health care services as part of individual or group health insurance policies, can be considered, there shall be concurrent resolutions passed requesting the auditor to prepare and submit to the legislature a report that assesses both the social and financial effects of the proposed mandated coverage"; and

     WHEREAS, section 23-51, Hawaii Revised Statutes, further provides that "[t]he concurrent resolutions shall designate a specific legislative bill that:

     (1)  Has been introduced in the legislature; and

     (2)  Includes, at a minimum, information identifying the:

          (A)  Specific health service, disease, or provider that would be covered;

          (B)  Extent of the coverage;

          (C)  Target groups that would be covered;

          (D)  Limitations on utilization, if any; and

          (E)  Standards of care.

For purposes of this part, mandated health insurance coverage shall not include mandated optionals."; and

     WHEREAS, section 23-52, Hawaii Revised Statutes, further specifies the minimum information required for assessing the social and financial impact of the proposed health coverage mandate in the Auditor's report; and

     WHEREAS, House Bill No. 641, introduced in the Regular Session of 2025, proposes, among other things, to expand existing health insurance mandates to cover Native Hawaiian healing and cultural practices offered through federally qualified health centers; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the Senate concurring, that the Auditor is requested to conduct an impact assessment report in accordance with sections 23-51 and 23-52, Hawaii Revised Statutes, of mandating health insurance coverage for Native Hawaiian healing and cultural practices offered through federally qualified health centers as proposed by House Bill No. 641, introduced in the Regular Session of 2025; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor is requested to submit a report of the Auditor's findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2026; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Auditor, Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, and Insurance Commissioner.

Report Title: 

Auditor; Impact Assessment Report; Mandatory Health Insurance Coverage; Native Hawaiian Healing and Cultural Practices; Federally Qualified Health Centers

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1856

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.C.R. No. 185

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 185 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL ASSESSMENT OF PROPOSED MANDATORY HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR NATIVE HAWAIIAN HEALING AND CULTURAL PRACTICES OFFERED THROUGH FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to request the State Auditor to conduct a social and financial assessment of a proposed policy to mandate health insurance coverage for Native Hawaiian healing and cultural practices offered through Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). This assessment is in response to House Bill No. 641, which proposes expanding existing health insurance mandates to include such practices.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Health Committee of the Democratic Party of Hawai’i. Your committee received comments for this measure from Papa Ola Lokahi.  

Your Committee finds that Native Hawaiian healing and cultural practices play a vital role in holistic healthcare and community well-being. Assessing the social and financial impacts of mandatory insurance coverage for these services at federally qualified health centers will help determine feasibility, benefits, and potential cost savings. This study supports equitable healthcare access while recognizing the cultural and therapeutic value of traditional healing practices.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 185 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1528

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.C.R. No. 185

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 185 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL ASSESSMENT OF PROPOSED MANDATORY HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR NATIVE HAWAIIAN HEALING AND CULTURAL PRACTICES OFFERED THROUGH FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to request the Auditor to conduct a social and financial assessment of proposed mandatory health insurance coverage for Native Hawaiian healing and cultural practices offered through federally qualified health centers.  

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Waimānalo Health Center; Hāna Health; Mālama I Ke Ola Health Center; Health Committee of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i; Leeward Massage Therapy Center; and four individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from Papa Ola Lōkahi.

     Your Committee finds that although multiple federally qualified health centers in the State offer Native Hawaiian healing practices in tandem with other western health care practices, only two health insurers voluntarily provide coverage for these services.  Your Committee further finds that House Bill No. 641, Regular Session of 2025 (HB641), proposes requiring, among other things, all health insurers in the State to cover Native Hawaiian healing and cultural practices offered through federally qualified health centers, which would be considered a new mandated health insurance benefit.

     Your Committee further finds that, pursuant to sections 23-51 and 23-52, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the social and financial impact of a proposed mandated health insurance benefit must be assessed by the Auditor before it can be enacted into law.  This measure therefore requests the Auditor to conduct a statutorily required impact assessment report on the social and financial effects of the new mandated health insurance benefit proposed by HB641.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 185 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,