SCR 18: REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO ASSESS THE SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL EFFECTS OF PROPOSED MANDATED HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR INTRAVENOUS KETAMINE THERAPY TO TREAT DEPRESSION.

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

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

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

     WHEREAS, a number of state residents suffer from various mental illnesses, including major depressive disorder, or treatment-resistant depression; and

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

     WHEREAS, Senate Bill No. 967 of the Thirty-Third Legislature of the State of Hawaii proposes to require insurance coverage for 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 must 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 2026, the House of Representatives concurring, that pursuant to section 23-51, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the Auditor is requested to assess both the social and financial effects of the proposed mandated health insurance coverage under Senate Bill No. 967 of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, which proposes to require 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 2027; 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