HCR 91: requesting health insurers and managed care providers that provide health insurance in the State to provide insurance coverage for prosthetic and orthotic devices.

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

requesting health insurers and managed care providers that provide health insurance in the State to provide insurance coverage for prosthetic and orthotic devices.

     WHEREAS, there are more than 18,000 Hawaii residents living with limb loss, limb difference, and mobility impairments who face significant barriers to participating in physical activities, essential daily functions, and recreational opportunities due to outdated and discriminatory insurance coverage and policies that routinely deny access to essential activity-specific prosthetic and orthotic devices; and

     WHEREAS, individuals with limb loss and limb differences in Hawaii must often rely on a single prosthetic or orthotic device, which is typically designed for limited mobility and does not accommodate activities such as running, cycling, swimming, or bathing, creating unnecessary risks of injury, preventable health conditions, and diminished quality of life; and

     WHEREAS, the denial of essential activity-specific devices perpetuates inequities in health, independence, and economic opportunity for individuals with disabilities in Hawaii, forcing many to bear prohibitive out-of-pocket costs or forgo these necessary tools entirely; and

     WHEREAS, comprehensive insurance coverage for prosthetic and orthotic devices is critical to reducing the prevalence of preventable secondary health conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity, which disproportionately affect individuals with disabilities; 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 health insurers and managed care providers that provide health insurance in the State are requested to provide insurance coverage for prosthetic and orthotic devices; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Insurance Commissioner, Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of Hawaii Medical Assurance Association, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hawaii Medical Service Association, President of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals Hawaii, Chief Executive Officer of UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Hawaii, President and Chief Executive Officer of University Health Alliance, Chief Executive Officer of AlohaCare, and Plan President and Chief Executive Officer of ʻOhana Health Plan.

Report Title: 

Health Insurance Coverage; Prosthetic Devices; Orthotic Devices

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1896

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.C.R. No. 91

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 91 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING HEALTH INSURERS AND MANAGED CARE PROVIDERS THAT PROVIDE HEALTH INSURANCE IN THE STATE TO PROVIDE INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR PROSTHETIC AND ORTHOTIC DEVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request health insurers and managed care providers that provide health insurance in the State to provide insurance coverage for prosthetic and orthotic devices.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State Health Planning and Development Agency and two individuals.

     Your Committee finds that there are more than eighteen thousand Hawaii residents living with limb loss, limb difference, or mobility impairments who face significant barriers to participating in physical activities, essential daily functions, and recreational opportunities due to insurance coverage and policies that routinely deny access to essential activity-specific prosthetic and orthotic devices.  Your Committee further finds that individuals with limb loss and limb differences in Hawaii must often rely on a single prosthetic or orthotic device, which is typically designed for limited mobility and does not accommodate activities such as running, cycling, swimming, or bathing, creating unnecessary risks of injury, preventable health conditions, and diminished quality of life.  Accordingly, this resolution requests health insurers and managed care providers that provide health insurance in the State to provide insurance coverage for prosthetic and orthotic devices to promote physical and mental health, reduce long-term health care costs, and ensure a full and active life for individuals in the State who require prosthetic and orthotic devices.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 91, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health and Human Services,

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1835

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.C.R. No. 91

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 91 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING HEALTH INSURERS AND MANAGED CARE PROVIDERS THAT PROVIDE HEALTH INSURANCE IN THE STATE TO PROVIDE INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR PROSTHETIC AND ORTHOTIC DEVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to reduce risks of injury and diminished quality of life as well as the prevalence of preventable secondary health conditions which disproportionately affect people with disabilities in Hawaii.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Health Committee of the Democratic Party of Hawaii and from one individual.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 91 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  1520

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.C.R. No. 91

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. 91 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING HEALTH INSURERS AND MANAGED CARE PROVIDERS THAT PROVIDE HEALTH INSURANCE IN THE STATE TO PROVIDE INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR PROSTHETIC AND ORTHOTIC DEVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to request health insurers and managed care providers that provide health insurance in the State to provide insurance coverage for prosthetic and orthotic devices.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Health Committee of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i and two individuals.

     Your Committee finds that more than eighteen thousand Hawaii residents live with limb loss, limb difference, and mobility impairments.  Your Committee further finds that these individuals often rely on a single prosthetic or orthotic device, which is typically designed for limited mobility and does not accommodate activities such as running, cycling, or swimming, as health insurers routinely deny coverage for activity-specific prosthetics and orthotic devices.  As a result, individuals with limb loss, limb difference, and mobility impairments must either pay out of pocket for these activity-specific devices or forgo these necessary tools entirely.  This measure requests health insurers and managed care providers providing health insurance in the State to provide insurance coverage for these devices, which will allow individuals with disabilities to fully participate in their community and enjoy the same active lifestyle as their peers.

     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. 91 and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

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