SB 1494: Deaf and Blind Task Force; Kupuna Caucus; Health Insurance Coverage; Hearing Aids
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: Senate
- Latest Version Date: 2025-02-26
Current Status:
Failed
(2025-12-08: Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.)
Introduced
In Committee
First Chamber
In Committee
Second Chamber
Final Decking
Enacted
Requires health insurance policies and contracts issued on or after 1/1/2026 to provide optional coverage for the cost of hearing aids at a minimum $1,500 per hearing aid for each hearing-impaired ear every thirty-six months. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)
Requires health insurance policies and contracts issued on or after 1/1/2026 to provide optional coverage for the cost of hearing aids at a minimum $1,500 per hearing aid for each hearing-impaired ear every thirty-six months. (SD1)
Requires health insurance policies and contracts issued on or after 1/1/2026 to provide coverage for the cost of hearing aids at a minimum $1,500 per hearing aid for each hearing-impaired ear every thirty-six months.
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
1494 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
S.D. 2 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO HEARING AIDS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
According to the Lions Club, the cost for one digital hearing aid can be around $3,000 or more. Some people with permanent conductive hearing loss, for whom conventional hearing aids are not appropriate, may benefit from amplification through bone conduction hearing aids, which can also cost over $3,000. Furthermore, about fifty per cent of childhood hearing loss is due to genetic causes, meaning that more than one member in a family may need to wear hearing aids, thereby multiplying the financial burden of purchasing hearing aids.
The legislature also finds that, although most health insurance plans in the State cover the purchase of hearing aids, the amount of coverage may be low, leaving the patient with a large copayment. As a result, it is not unusual for individuals with hearing loss to choose to delay or forgo the purchase of hearing aids because they are unable to pay for them. A 2005 study by the Better Hearing Institute estimated that untreated hearing loss resulted in a loss of income per household of up to $12,000 per year. Hawaii's medicaid managed care plans cover hearing aid evaluation, selection, purchase, and fitting every three years, and subsequent hearing aid checks, hearing testing, ear molds, repairs, and batteries. However, federal medicare insurance plans for the elderly do not cover hearing aid purchases and related services, and only cover hearing testing.
According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, twenty-five states currently mandate insurance coverage for hearing aids. In states that specify the frequency of replacing hearing aids, the range is every two to five years, with thirteen of those states requiring replacement every three years. Fifteen states have parameters on the amount of coverage that the insurance companies must provide, ranging from $1,400 to $4,000 per ear or hearing aid.
The legislature further finds that in 2014, the auditor published a study of Proposed Mandatory Health Insurance for Hearing Aids, Report No. 14-10, October 2014, a sunrise study on the advisability of mandating insurance coverage for hearing aids, as proposed in S.B. No. 309, S.D. 1 (2013) (S.B. No. 309). The auditor found that most insurance plans in Hawaii already covered or planned to cover the cost of hearing aids by 2015 and that, although the coverage levels at that time might require a large copayment, those insurance plans would have complied with S.B. No. 309, had it been enacted. The legislature notes that the auditor's report expressed concerns that S.B. No. 309 had no limits on coverage, such as minimum or maximum costs covered by insurers or frequency of placement.
In response to the auditor's report, S.B. No. 2439, S.D. 2 (2022) (S.B. No. 2439), proposed a minimum coverage benefit of $1,500 per hearing aid for each hearing-impaired ear every thirty-six months. The legislature adopted S.C.R. No. 61, S.D. 1, H.D. 1 (2022), which requested the auditor to perform a social and financial assessment of S.B. No. 2439, as required by section 23-51, Hawaii Revised Statutes; however, the legislature has not yet received a report from the auditor.
The purpose of this Act is to require health insurers to provide optional health insurance coverage in the State for hearing aids for all types of hearing loss at a minimum coverage benefit of $1,500 per hearing aid for each hearing-impaired ear every thirty-six months.
SECTION 2. Chapter 431, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to article 10A to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§431:10A- Optional coverage for hearing aids. (a) Each individual and group accident and health or sickness policy issued or renewed in the State on or after January 1, 2026, shall provide optional coverage for the cost of hearing aids for the policyholder and individuals covered under the policy.
(b) Hearing aid purchases covered under this section shall be subject to a minimum benefit of $1,500 per hearing-impaired ear every thirty-six months.
(c) The policyholder and individuals covered under the policy may choose a hearing aid that is priced higher than the benefit payable under this section without financial or contractual penalty to the provider of the hearing aid.
(d) This section shall not prohibit an insurer subject to this section from providing optional coverage that is greater or more favorable to the policyholder and individuals covered under the policy.
(e) Optional coverage required under this section may be subject to deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, or annual or maximum payment limits that are consistent with deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and annual or maximum payment limits applicable to other similar coverage under the policy.
(f) Any literature or correspondence an insurer sends to policyholders, including annual information that is made available to policyholders, shall include information concerning the optional coverage required by this section; provided that the information concerning the optional coverage required by this section shall also be posted on the insurer's website.
(g) This section shall not apply to limited benefit health insurance as provided in section 431:10A-607.
(h) For the purposes of this section, "hearing aid" has the same meaning as defined in section 451A-1, and includes conventional and bone conduction hearing aids."
SECTION 3. Chapter 432, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to article 1 to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§432:1- Optional coverage of hearing aids. (a) Each individual and group hospital or medical service plan contract issued or renewed in the State on or after January 1, 2026, shall provide optional coverage for the cost of hearing aids for the member and individuals covered under the individual and group hospital or medical service plan contract.
(b) Hearing aid purchases covered under this section shall be subject to a minimum benefit of $1,500 per hearing-impaired ear every thirty-six months.
(c) The member and individuals covered under the plan contract may choose a hearing aid that is priced higher than the benefit payable under this section without financial or contractual penalty to the provider of the hearing aid.
(d) This section shall not prohibit a mutual benefit society subject to this section from providing optional coverage that is greater or more favorable to the member and individuals covered under the individual and group hospital or medical service plan contract.
(e) Optional coverage required under this section may be subject to deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, or annual or maximum payment limits that are consistent with deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and annual or maximum payment limits applicable to other similar coverage under the individual and group hospital or medical service plan contract.
(f) Any literature or correspondence a mutual benefit society sends to members, including annual information that is made available to members, shall include information concerning the optional coverage required by this section; provided that the information concerning the optional coverage required by this section shall also be posted on the mutual benefit society's website.
(g) For the purposes of this section, "hearing aid" has the same meaning as defined in section 451A-1, and includes conventional and bone conduction hearing aids."
SECTION 4. Section 432D-23, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§432D-23
Required provisions and benefits. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the
contrary, each policy, contract, plan, or agreement issued in the State after
January 1, 1995, by health maintenance organizations pursuant to this chapter,
shall include benefits provided in sections 431:10-212, 431:10A-115,
431:10A-115.5, 431:10A-116, 431:10A‑116.2, 431:10A-116.5, 431:10A-116.6,
431:10A-119, 431:10A-120, 431:10A-121, 431:10A-122, 431:10A-125, 431:10A-126,
431:10A-132, 431:10A-133, 431:10A-134, 431:10A-140, and [431:10A-134,]
431:10A- , and chapter 431M."
SECTION 5. The benefit to be provided by health maintenance organizations corresponding to the benefit provided under section 431:10A- , Hawaii Revised Statutes, as contained in the amendment to section 432D-23, Hawaii Revised Statutes, in section 4 of this Act, shall take effect for all policies, contracts, plans, or agreements issued in the State on or after January 1, 2026.
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, 2050.
Report Title:
Deaf and Blind Task Force; Kupuna Caucus; Health Insurance Coverage; Hearing Aids
Description:
Requires health insurance policies and contracts issued on or after 1/1/2026 to provide optional coverage for the cost of hearing aids at a minimum $1,500 per hearing aid for each hearing-impaired ear every thirty-six months. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
1494 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO HEARING AIDS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
According to the Lions Club, the cost for one digital hearing aid can be around $3,000 or more. Some people with permanent conductive hearing loss, for whom conventional hearing aids are not appropriate, may benefit from amplification through bone conduction hearing aids, which can also cost over $3,000. Furthermore, about fifty per cent of childhood hearing loss is due to genetic causes, meaning that more than one member in a family may need to wear hearing aids, thereby multiplying the financial burden of purchasing hearing aids.
The legislature also finds that, currently, most health insurance plans in Hawaii cover the purchase of hearing aids, but the amount of coverage may be low, leaving the patient with a large copayment. As a result, it is not unusual for people with hearing loss to choose to delay or forgo the purchase of hearing aids because they are unable to pay for them. A 2005 study by the Better Hearing Institute estimated that untreated hearing loss resulted in a loss of income per household of up to $12,000 per year. Hawaii's medicaid managed care plans cover hearing aid evaluation, selection, purchase, and fitting every three years, and subsequent hearing aid checks, hearing testing, ear molds, repairs, and batteries. However, federal medicare insurance plans for the elderly do not cover hearing aid purchases and related services, and only cover hearing testing.
According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, twenty-five states currently mandate insurance coverage for hearing aids. In states that specify the frequency of replacing hearing aids, the range is every two to five years, with thirteen of those states requiring replacement every three years. Fifteen states have parameters on the amount of coverage that the insurance companies must provide, ranging from $1,400 to $4,000 per ear or hearing aid.
The legislature further finds that in 2014, the auditor published a study of Proposed Mandatory Health Insurance for Hearing Aids, Report No. 14-10, October 2014, a sunrise study on the advisability of mandating insurance coverage for hearing aids, as proposed in S.B. No. 309, S.D. 1 (2013) (S.B. No. 309). The auditor found that most insurance plans in Hawaii already covered or planned to cover the cost of hearing aids by 2015 and that although the coverage levels at that time might require a large copayment, those insurance plans would have complied with S.B. No. 309, had it been enacted. The legislature notes that the auditor's report expressed concerns that S.B. No. 309, had no limits on coverage, such as minimum or maximum costs covered by insurers or frequency of placement.
In response to the auditor's report, S.B. No. 2439, S.D. 2 (2022) (S.B. No. 2439), proposed a minimum coverage benefit of $1,500 per hearing aid for each hearing-impaired ear every thirty-six months. The legislature adopted S.C.R. No. 61, S.D. 1, H.D. 1 (2022), which requested the auditor to perform a social and financial assessment of S.B. No. 2439, as required by section 23-51, Hawaii Revised Statutes; however, has not received a report from the auditor at this point.
The purpose of this Act is to require optional health insurance coverage in the State for hearing aids for all types of hearing loss at a minimum coverage benefit of $1,500 per hearing aid for each hearing-impaired ear every thirty-six months.
SECTION 2. Chapter 431, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to article 10A to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§431:10A- Optional coverage for hearing aids. (a) Each individual and group accident and health or sickness policy, contract, plan, or agreement issued or renewed in the State on or after January 1, 2026, shall provide optional coverage for the cost of hearing aids for the policyholder and individuals covered under the policy, contract, plan, or agreement.
(b) Hearing aid purchases covered under this section shall be subject to a minimum benefit of $1,500 per hearing-impaired ear every thirty-six months.
(c) The policyholder and individual covered under the policy, contract, plan, or agreement may choose a hearing aid that is priced higher than the benefit payable under this section without financial or contractual penalty to the provider of the hearing aid.
(d) This section shall not prohibit an insurer subject to this section from providing optional coverage that is greater or more favorable to the policyholder and individuals covered under the policy, contract, plan, or agreement.
(e) Optional coverage required under this section may be subject to deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, or annual or maximum payment limits that are consistent with deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and annual or maximum payment limits applicable to other similar coverage under the policy, contract, plan, or agreement.
(f) Any literature or correspondence an insurer sends to policyholders, including annual information that is made available to policyholders, shall include information concerning the optional coverage required by this section; provided that the information concerning the optional coverage required by this section shall also be posted on the insurer's website.
(g) This section shall not apply to limited benefit health insurance as provided in section 431:10A-607.
(h) For the purposes of this section, "hearing aid" has the same meaning as defined in section 451A-1, and includes conventional and bone conduction hearing aids."
SECTION 3. Chapter 432, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to article 1 to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§432:1- Optional coverage of hearing aids. (a) Each individual and group hospital or medical service plan contract issued or renewed in the State on or after January 1, 2026, shall provide optional coverage for the cost of hearing aids for the member and individuals covered under the individual and group hospital or medical service plan contract.
(b) Hearing aid purchases covered under this section shall be subject to a minimum benefit of $1,500 per hearing-impaired ear every thirty-six months.
(c) The member and individuals covered under the plan contract may choose a hearing aid that is priced higher than the benefit payable under this section without financial or contractual penalty to the provider of the hearing aid.
(d) This section shall not prohibit a mutual benefit society subject to this section from providing optional coverage that is greater or more favorable to the member and individuals covered under the individual and group hospital or medical service plan contract.
(e) Optional coverage required under this section may be subject to deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, or annual or maximum payment limits that are consistent with deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and annual or maximum payment limits applicable to other similar coverage under the individual and group hospital or medical service plan contract.
(f) Any literature or correspondence a mutual benefit society sends to members, including annual information that is made available to members, shall include information concerning the optional coverage required by this section; provided that the information concerning the optional coverage required by this section shall also be posted on the mutual benefit society's website.
(g) For the purposes of this section, "hearing aid" has the same meaning as defined in section 451A-1, and includes conventional and bone conduction hearing aids."
SECTION 4. Section 432D-23, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§432D-23 Required provisions and
benefits. Notwithstanding any
provision of law to the contrary, each policy, contract, plan, or agreement
issued in the State after January 1, 1995, by health maintenance organizations
pursuant to this chapter, shall include benefits provided in sections
431:10-212, 431:10A-115, 431:10A-115.5, 431:10A-116, 431:10A‑116.2,
431:10A-116.5, 431:10A-116.6, 431:10A-119, 431:10A-120, 431:10A-121,
431:10A-122, 431:10A-125, 431:10A-126, 431:10A-132, 431:10A-133, 431:10A-134,
431:10A-140, and [431:10A-134,] 431:10A- , and chapter
431M."
SECTION 5. The benefit to be provided by health maintenance organizations corresponding to the benefit provided under section 431:10A- , Hawaii Revised Statutes, as contained in the amendment to section 432D-23, Hawaii Revised Statutes, in section 4 of this Act, shall take effect for all policies, contracts, plans, or agreements issued in the State on or after January 1, 2026.
SECTION 6. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Report Title:
Deaf and Blind Task Force; Kupuna Caucus; Health Insurance Coverage; Hearing Aids
Description:
Requires health insurance policies and contracts issued on or after 1/1/2026 to provide optional coverage for the cost of hearing aids at a minimum $1,500 per hearing aid for each hearing-impaired ear every thirty-six months. (SD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
|
THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
1494 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
|
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|
STATE OF HAWAII |
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|
|
|
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO HEARING AIDS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
According to the Lions Club, the cost for one digital hearing aid can be around $3,000 or more. Some people with permanent conductive hearing loss, for whom conventional hearing aids are not appropriate, may benefit from amplification through bone conduction hearing aids, which can also cost over $3,000. Furthermore, about fifty per cent of childhood hearing loss is due to genetic causes, meaning that more than one member in a family may need to wear hearing aids, thereby multiplying the financial burden of purchasing hearing aids.
The legislature also finds that, currently, most health insurance plans in Hawaii cover the purchase of hearing aids, but the amount of coverage may be low, leaving the patient with a large copayment. As a result, it is not unusual for people with hearing loss to choose to delay or forgo the purchase of hearing aids because they are unable to pay for them. A 2005 study by the Better Hearing Institute estimated that untreated hearing loss resulted in a loss of income per household of up to $12,000 per year. Hawaii's medicaid managed care plans cover hearing aid evaluation, selection, purchase, and fitting every three years, and subsequent hearing aid checks, hearing testing, ear molds, repairs, and batteries. However, federal medicare insurance plans for the elderly do not cover hearing aid purchases and related services, and only cover hearing testing.
According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, twenty-five states currently mandate insurance coverage for hearing aids. In states that specify the frequency of replacing hearing aids, the range is every two to five years, with thirteen of those states requiring replacement every three years. Fifteen states have parameters on the amount of coverage that the insurance companies must provide, ranging from $1,400 to $4,000 per ear or hearing aid.
The legislature further finds that in 2014, the auditor published a study of Proposed Mandatory Health Insurance for Hearing Aids, Report No. 14-10, October 2014, a sunrise study on the advisability of mandating insurance coverage for hearing aids, as proposed in S.B. No. 309, S.D. 1 (2013) (S.B. No. 309). The auditor found that most insurance plans in Hawaii already covered or planned to cover the cost of hearing aids by 2015 and that although the coverage levels at that time might require a large copayment, those insurance plans would have complied with S.B. No. 309, had it been enacted. The legislature notes that the auditor's report expressed concerns that S.B. No. 309, had no limits on coverage, such as minimum or maximum costs covered by insurers or frequency of placement.
In response to the auditor's report, S.B. No. 2439, S.D. 2 (2022) (S.B. No. 2439), proposed a minimum coverage benefit of $1,500 per hearing aid for each hearing-impaired ear every thirty-six months. The legislature adopted S.C.R. No. 61, S.D. 1, H.D. 1 (2022), which requested the auditor to perform a social and financial assessment of S.B. No. 2439, as required by section 23-51, Hawaii Revised Statutes; however, has not received a report from the auditor at this point.
The purpose of this Act is to require health insurance coverage in the State for hearing aids for all types of hearing loss at a minimum coverage benefit of $1,500 per hearing aid for each hearing-impaired ear every thirty-six months.
SECTION 2. Chapter 431, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to article 10A to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§431:10A- Coverage for hearing aids. (a) Each individual and group accident and health or sickness policy, contract, plan, or agreement issued or renewed in the State on or after January 1, 2026, shall provide coverage for the cost of hearing aids for the policyholder and individuals covered under the policy, contract, plan, or agreement.
(b) Hearing aid purchases covered under this section shall be subject to a minimum benefit of $1,500 per hearing-impaired ear every thirty-six months.
(c) The policyholder and individual covered under the policy, contract, plan, or agreement may choose a hearing aid that is priced higher than the benefit payable under this section without financial or contractual penalty to the provider of the hearing aid.
(d) This section shall not prohibit an insurer subject to this section from providing coverage that is greater or more favorable to the policyholder and individuals covered under the policy, contract, plan, or agreement.
(e) Coverage required under this section may be subject to deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, or annual or maximum payment limits that are consistent with deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and annual or maximum payment limits applicable to other similar coverage under the policy, contract, plan, or agreement.
(f) Any literature or correspondence an insurer sends to policyholders, including annual information that is made available to policyholders, shall include information concerning the coverage required by this section; provided that the information concerning the coverage required by this section shall also be posted on the insurer's website.
(g) This section shall not apply to limited benefit health insurance as provided in section 431:10A-607.
(h) For the purposes of this section, "hearing aid" shall have the same meaning as defined in section 451A-1 and includes conventional and bone conduction hearing aids."
SECTION 3. Chapter 432, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to article 1 to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§432:1- Coverage of hearing aids. (a) Each individual and group hospital or medical service plan contract issued or renewed in the State on or after January 1, 2026, shall provide coverage for the cost of hearing aids for the member and individuals covered under the individual and group hospital or medical service plan contract.
(b) Hearing aid purchases covered under this section shall be subject to a minimum benefit of $1,500 per hearing-impaired ear every thirty-six months.
(c) The member and individuals covered under the plan contract may choose a hearing aid that is priced higher than the benefit payable under this section without financial or contractual penalty to the provider of the hearing aid.
(d) This section shall not prohibit a mutual benefit society subject to this section from providing coverage that is greater or more favorable to the member and individuals covered under the individual and group hospital or medical service plan contract.
(e) Coverage required under this section may be subject to deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, or annual or maximum payment limits that are consistent with deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and annual or maximum payment limits applicable to other similar coverage under the individual and group hospital or medical service plan contract.
(f) Any literature or correspondence a mutual benefit society sends to members, including annual information that is made available to members, shall include information concerning the coverage required by this section; provided that the information concerning the coverage required by this section shall also be posted on the mutual benefit society's website.
(g) For the purposes of this section, "hearing aid" shall have the same meaning as defined in section 451A-1 and includes conventional and bone conduction hearing aids."
SECTION 4. Section 432D-23, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§432D-23 Required provisions and
benefits. Notwithstanding any
provision of law to the contrary, each policy, contract, plan, or agreement
issued in the State after January 1, 1995, by health maintenance organizations
pursuant to this chapter, shall include benefits provided in sections
431:10-212, 431:10A-115, 431:10A-115.5, 431:10A-116, 431:10A‑116.2,
431:10A-116.5, 431:10A-116.6, 431:10A-119, 431:10A-120, 431:10A-121,
431:10A-122, 431:10A-125, 431:10A-126, 431:10A-132, 431:10A-133, 431:10A-134,
431:10A-140, and [431:10A-134,] 431:10A- , and chapter
431M."
SECTION 5. The benefit to be provided by health maintenance organizations corresponding to the benefit provided under section 431:10A- , Hawaii Revised Statutes, as contained in the amendment to section 432D-23, Hawaii Revised Statutes, in section 4 of this Act, shall take effect for all policies, contracts, plans, or agreements issued in the State on or after January 1, 2026.
SECTION 6. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
_____________________________ |
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Report Title:
Deaf and Blind Task Force; Kupuna Caucus; Health Insurance Coverage; Hearing Aids
Description:
Requires health insurance policies and contracts issued on or after 1/1/2026 to provide coverage for the cost of hearing aids at a minimum $1,500 per hearing aid for each hearing-impaired ear every thirty-six months.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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Date
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Status
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|---|---|
| Dec 8, 2025 | Carried over to 2026 Regular Session. |
| Mar 12, 2025 | The committee(s) on HLT recommend(s) that the measure be deferred. |
| Mar 7, 2025 | Bill scheduled to be heard by HLT on Wednesday, 03-12-25 9:00AM in House conference room 329 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Mar 6, 2025 | Referred to HLT, CPC, FIN, referral sheet 19 |
| Mar 6, 2025 | Pass First Reading |
| Mar 4, 2025 | Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 353) in amended form (SD 2). |
| Mar 4, 2025 | Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House. |
| Feb 27, 2025 | 48 Hrs. Notice 03-04-25. |
| Feb 27, 2025 | Reported from CPN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 749) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). |
| Feb 20, 2025 | The committee(s) on CPN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in CPN were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Keohokalole, Fukunaga, McKelvey, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Richards. |
| Feb 14, 2025 | The committee(s) on CPN will hold a public decision making on 02-20-25 9:30AM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference. |
| Feb 11, 2025 | Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to CPN. |
| Feb 11, 2025 | Reported from HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 271) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to CPN. |
| Feb 3, 2025 | The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HHS were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, Aquino, Hashimoto, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Keohokalole. |
| Jan 31, 2025 | The committee(s) on HHS has scheduled a public hearing on 02-03-25 1:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference. |
| Jan 27, 2025 | Referred to HHS, CPN. |
| Jan 23, 2025 | Introduced and passed First Reading. |
| Jan 22, 2025 | Pending Introduction. |
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Date
|
Description
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Location
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Votes
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|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 4, 2025 | Third Reading | Senate Floor |
Passed |
|
| Feb 20, 2025 | The committee(s) on CPN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | Senate Standing Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection |
Passed |
|
| Feb 3, 2025 | The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | Senate Standing Committee on Health and Human Services |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
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Organization
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Position
|
Date
|
|---|---|---|
| Deaf and Blind Task Force | ** Support | |
| Disability and Communication Access Board (DCAB) | *** Support | Mar 12, 2025 |
| Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs (PABEA) | *** Support | Mar 12, 2025 |
| State Health Planning and Development Agency (SHPDA) | *** Support | Mar 12, 2025 |
STAND. COM. REP. NO. 749
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: S.B. No. 1494
S.D. 2
Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi
President of the Senate
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2025
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred S.B. No. 1494, S.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEARING AIDS,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to require health insurance policies and contracts issued in the State after January 1, 2026, to provide optional health insurance coverage for hearing aids for all types of hearing loss at a minimum coverage benefit of $1,500 per hearing aid for each hearing-impaired ear every thirty-six months.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Disability and Communication Access Board and six individuals.
Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund, Hawaii Association of Health Plans, and Hawaii Medical Service Association.
Your Committee finds that hearing is an essential sense necessary for effective communication, daily functioning, and overall quality of life. Access to hearing aids is crucial for individuals with hearing loss to continue to participate in social, educational, and professional environments. Your Committee further finds that, like eyeglasses, hearing aids require a prescription from a specialized doctor, and a licensed provider is needed to provide the technology. Currently, however, private health insurance plans often provide partial or full coverage for eyeglasses to correct vision, yet coverage for hearing aids remains inconsistent and insufficient. This measure ensures that individuals with hearing loss have improved access and affordability to necessary hearing aids through private insurance carriers.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and
(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1494, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1494, S.D. 2.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection,
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________________________________ JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair |
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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 271
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: S.B. No. 1494
S.D. 1
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 S.B. No. 1494 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEARING AIDS,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to require health insurance policies and contracts issued on or after January 1, 2026, to provide coverage for the cost of hearing aids at a minimum of $1,500 per hearing aid for each hearing-impaired ear every thirty-six months.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Deaf and Blind Task Force and three individuals.
Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Office of the Insurance Division of the Auditor, and Hawaii Medical Service Association.
Your Committee finds that approximately three to four out of every one thousand children born in Hawaii are identified as having permanent hearing loss. Your Committee further finds that the cost for digital hearing aids can be exorbitantly high for many patients, resulting in patients opting to delay or forgo the purchase of hearing aids because they are unable to pay for them. This measure expands health care access to hearing aids for Hawaii's deaf community by subsidizing the costs to purchase hearing aids with health insurance coverage.
Your Committee acknowledges the concerns raised in the Office of the Auditor's testimony that in November 2022, the Office had ceased their sunrise analysis of S.B. No. 2439, S.D. 2 (2022) a measure identical to this measure, after instruction by the Legislature's Kupuna Caucus that the assessment was unnecessary. Accordingly, the Office of the Auditor has not conducted a sunrise analysis applicable to this measure's proposed mandatory health insurance coverage for the cost of hearing aids. Therefore, your Committee finds that at this point, the coverage cannot be made mandatory, but optional.
Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Requiring health insurance policies, contracts, plans, or agreements issued or renewed after January 1, 2026, to provide optional, rather than mandatory, coverage for the cost of hearing aids;
(2) Amending section 1 to reflect its amended purpose; and
(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.
Your Committee intends to request the Auditor to conduct an assessment of the social and financial impacts (sunrise analysis) of mandatory health insurance coverage for the cost of hearing aids. Your Committee requests that the Office of the Auditor adhere to any sunrise analysis request pursuant to the passage of a Concurrent Resolution and disregard requests to cease a sunrise analysis by any individual or entity other than the Legislature acting as the whole.
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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1494, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1494, S.D. 1, and 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,
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________________________________ JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair |
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Date
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Testimony PDF
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| Mar 12, 2025 | SB1494_SD2_TESTIMONY_HLT_03-12-25_.PDF |
| Feb 20, 2025 | SB1494_SD1_TESTIMONY_CPN_02-20-25_.PDF |
| Feb 3, 2025 | SB1494_TESTIMONY_HHS_02-03-25_.PDF |
Bill Author
