SCR 30: requesting the AUDITOR to assess the social and financial effects of mandating health insurance coverage for brief cognitive assessments for individuals fifty years of age and older.

THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	30
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting the AUDITOR to assess the social and financial effects of mandating health insurance coverage for brief cognitive assessments for individuals fifty years of age and older.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, cognitive assessments are crucial for early detection and management of cognitive impairments, such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease, and early diagnosis can significantly improve the quality of life for affected individuals and reduce long-term health care costs; and

 

     WHEREAS, research shows that certain populations face elevated risks for developing dementia; and

 

WHEREAS, estimates suggest that fifty percent or more of individuals with Down syndrome will develop dementia due to Alzheimer's disease as they age; and

 

     WHEREAS, Native Hawaiians suffer from higher rates of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias; are often diagnosed at younger ages; and despite earlier diagnosis, tend to be in later stages of the disease at the time of detection; and

 

     WHEREAS, common risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, smoking, lack of physical activity, and poor diet contribute to cognitive decline and increase the likelihood of dementia; and

 

     WHEREAS, detecting cognitive changes early allows health care providers to address these risks preventively, implement care planning, and connect individuals to supportive services before significant decline occurs; and

 

     WHEREAS, mandating coverage for brief cognitive assessments would provide a cost-effective mechanism to identify cognitive changes early, reduce long-term health care costs, and improve outcomes for individuals at risk of dementia; and

 

     WHEREAS, section 23-51, Hawaii Revised Statutes, requires that "[b]efore 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, there shall be concurrent resolutions 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"; and

 

     WHEREAS, section 23-51, Hawaii Revised Statutes, further provides that "[t]he concurrent resolutions shall designate a specific legislative bill that:

 

     (1)  Has been introduced in the legislature; and

 

     (2)  Includes, at a minimum, information identifying the:

 

          (A)  Specific health service, disease, or provider that would be covered;

 

          (B)  Extent of the coverage;

 

          (C)  Target groups that would be covered;

 

          (D)  Limits on utilization, if any; and

 

          (E)  Standards of care.

 

For purposes of this part, mandated health insurance coverage shall not include mandated optionals"; 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 insurance mandate in the Auditor's report; and

 

     WHEREAS, House Bill No. 1702, introduced in the Regular Session of 2026, proposes to expand existing health insurance mandates to cover brief cognitive assessments for individuals fifty years of age and older; 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 the Auditor is requested to conduct an impact assessment report in accordance with sections 23-51 and 23-52, Hawaii Revised Statutes, on mandating health insurance coverage for brief cognitive assessments for individuals fifty years of age and older as proposed by House Bill No. 1702 (Regular Session of 2026); 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 a certified copy of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Auditor.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Auditor; Impact Assessment Report; Health Insurance; Mandatory Coverage; Brief Cognitive Assessments