SCR 8: REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO ASSESS BOTH THE SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL EFFECTS OF PROPOSED MANDATED HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR A PERCENTAGE OF THE COSTS OF INTRAVENOUS KETAMINE THERAPY TO TREAT DEPRESSION.

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO ASSESS BOTH THE SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL EFFECTS OF PROPOSED MANDATED HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR A PERCENTAGE OF THE COSTS OF INTRAVENOUS KETAMINE THERAPY TO TREAT DEPRESSION.

     WHEREAS, the State has a duty to protect and improve the health and environment of the people; and

     WHEREAS, a number of state residents suffer from various mental health illnesses; and

     WHEREAS, according to an article published in Current Neuropharmacology, the use of ketamine is a valid antidepressant option for the treatment of treatment-resistant depression and has rapid antidepressant effects; and

     WHEREAS, S.B. No. 967, Regular Session of 2025, proposes to mandate insurance coverage for an unspecified percentage of the costs of intravenous ketamine therapy to treat depression; and

     WHEREAS, pursuant to section 23-51, Hawaii Revised Statutes, before 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, concurrent resolutions shall be 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; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Auditor is requested to assess, pursuant to section 23-51, Hawaii Revised Statutes, both the social and financial effects of the proposed mandated health insurance coverage under S.B. No. 967, Regular Session of 2025, which proposes mandated insurance coverage for a percentage of the costs of intravenous ketamine therapy to treat depression; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor is requested to assess the proposed mandated insurance coverage for various percentages of the costs of intravenous ketamine therapy to treat depression in qualifying patients; 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 and Insurance Commissioner.

Report Title: 

Health; Medicaid; Insurance; Ketamine Therapy; Auditor; Report

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO ASSESS BOTH THE SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL EFFECTS OF PROPOSED MANDATED HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR A PERCENTAGE OF THE COSTS OF INTRAVENOUS KETAMINE THERAPY TO TREAT DEPRESSION.

     WHEREAS, the State has a duty to protect and improve the health and environment of the people; and

     WHEREAS, a number of state residents suffer from various mental health illnesses; and

     WHEREAS, according to an article published in Current Neuropharmacology, the use of ketamine is a valid antidepressant option for the treatment of treatment-resistant depression and has rapid antidepressant effects; and

     WHEREAS, Senate Bill No.     of the Thirty-Third Legislature of the State of Hawaii proposes to require insurance coverage for intravenous ketamine therapy; and

     WHEREAS, pursuant to section 23-51, Hawaii Revised Statutes, before 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, concurrent resolutions shall be 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; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Auditor is requested to assess, pursuant to section 23-51, Hawaii Revised Statutes, both the social and financial effects of the proposed mandated health insurance coverage under Senate Bill No.     of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, which requires insurance coverage for a percentage of the costs of intravenous ketamine therapy to treat depression; 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 and Insurance Commissioner.

Report Title: 

Health; Medicaid; Insurance; Ketamine Therapy; Auditor; Report

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  2071

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   S.C.R. No. 8

      S.D. 1

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 S.C.R. No. 8, S.D. 1, entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO ASSESS BOTH THE SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL EFFECTS OF PROPOSED MANDATED HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR A PERCENTAGE OF THE COSTS OF INTRAVENOUS KETAMINE THERAPY TO TREAT DEPRESSION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to request the Auditor to assess the social and financial effects of proposed mandated health insurance coverage for a percentage of costs of intravenous ketamine therapy to treat depression.  

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from two individuals.

     Your Committee finds that the use of ketamine has been shown to be a valid option for the treatment of treatment-resistant depression and that intravenous ketamine therapy is a safer form of treatment with a lower risk of addiction when compared to nasal spray treatment.  However, this therapy is often not covered by insurance, making it cost prohibitive for many patients who would greatly benefit from intravenous ketamine therapy.  Your Committee further finds that Senate Bill No. 967, Regular Session of 2025 (SB967), proposes requiring all health insurers in the State to cover an unspecified percentage of the cost of intravenous ketamine therapy to treat depression, 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 SB967.

     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 S.C.R. No. 8, S.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1360

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 8

       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.C.R. No. 8 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO ASSESS BOTH THE SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL EFFECTS OF PROPOSED MANDATED HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR A PERCENTAGE OF THE COSTS OF INTRAVENOUS KETAMINE THERAPY TO TREAT DEPRESSION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Auditor to assess both the social and financial effects of proposed mandated health insurance coverage for a percentage of the costs of intravenous ketamine therapy to treat depression.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one individual.

     Your Committee finds that ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that has gained attention for its rapid-acting antidepressant effects, particularly in treatment-resistant depression.  Your Committee further finds that considering the State's high rates of mental health challenges, accessible ketamine therapy offers an effective, fast-acting solution that could significantly reduce emergency room visits and prevent suicides.  This resolution is a step towards providing access to an efficient, life‑saving treatment for individuals suffering from treatment-resistant depression and suicidal ideation, and reducing the prevalence of mental issues in the State.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Inserting language specifying that the Auditor is requested to assess the social and financial effects of the proposed mandated health insurance coverage in S.B. No. 967, Regular Session of 2025;

     (2)  Inserting language to request the Auditor to assess the proposed mandated insurance coverage for various percentages of the costs of intravenous ketamine therapy to treat depression in qualifying patients; and

     (3)  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 Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 8, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means, in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 8, S.D. 1.

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

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1365

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.C.R. No. 8

       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.C.R. No. 8 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO ASSESS BOTH THE SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL EFFECTS OF PROPOSED MANDATED HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR A PERCENTAGE OF THE COSTS OF INTRAVENOUS KETAMINE THERAPY TO TREAT DEPRESSION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Auditor to assess both the social and financial effects of proposed mandated health insurance coverage for a percentage of the costs of intravenous ketamine therapy to treat depression.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one individual.

     Your Committee finds that ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that has gained attention for its rapid-acting antidepressant effects, particularly in treatment-resistant depression.  Your Committee further finds that considering the State's high rates of mental health challenges, accessible ketamine therapy offers an effective, fast-acting solution that could significantly reduce emergency room visits and prevent suicides.  This resolution is a step towards providing access to an efficient, life‑saving treatment for individuals suffering from treatment-resistant depression and suicidal ideation, and reducing the prevalence of mental issues in the State.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Inserting language specifying that the Auditor is requested to assess the social and financial effects of the proposed mandated health insurance coverage in S.B. No. 967, Regular Session of 2025;

     (2)  Inserting language to request the Auditor to assess the proposed mandated insurance coverage for various percentages of the costs of intravenous ketamine therapy to treat depression in qualifying patients; and

     (3)  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 Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 8, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means, in the form attached hereto as S.C.R. No. 8, S.D. 1.

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