HCR 35: REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO assess the SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL effects of MANDATORY HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR biomarker testing.

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO assess the SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL effects of MANDATORY HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR biomarker testing.

     WHEREAS, biomarker testing is an invaluable tool in the diagnosis, treatment, appropriate managements, and ongoing monitoring of diseases or conditions; and

     WHEREAS, biomarker testing is the analysis of a patient's tissue, blood, or other biospecimen for the presence of a biomarker, a type of precision medicine that looks for genes, proteins, and other substances that can provide information about a patient's chronic condition; and

     WHEREAS, biomarker testing allows for a more precise and personalized approach to medical care by identifying specific genetic, molecular, or biochemical markers associated with an individual's disease; and

     WHEREAS, biomarker testing enables health care providers to tailor treatments based on the unique characteristics of

a patient's condition, leading to more effective and targeted interventions; and

     WHEREAS, despite the fact that biomarker testing is essential to high-quality, personalized care to treat serious illness and enhance patients' quality of life, patients cannot easily access it; and

     WHEREAS, House Bill No. 1971, introduced in the Regular Session of 2026, requires insurers, mutual benefit societies, health maintenance organizations, and health plans under the State's Medicaid managed care program to provide coverage for medically necessary biomarker testing for the purposes of diagnosis, treatment, appropriate management, or ongoing monitoring of a person's disease or condition to guide treatment decisions when supported by medical and scientific evidence; 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 that designate a specific legislative bill for the Auditor to review and prepare a report for submission to the Legislature that assesses both the social and financial effects of the proposed mandated coverage" under that legislative bill; 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 State Auditor's report; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, the Senate concurring, that the Auditor is requested to assess, in accordance with sections 23‑51 and 23‑52, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the social and financial effects of mandating health insurance coverage for medically necessary biomarker testing for the purposes of diagnosis, treatment, appropriate management, or ongoing monitoring of a person's disease or condition, or to guide treatment decisions when supported by medical and scientific evidence, as provided in House Bill No. 1971, Regular Session of 2026; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Auditor is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2027; 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; Biomarker Testing