REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO ASSESS THE SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL EFFECTS OF PROPOSED MANDATORY HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE OF GENERIC OPIOID ANTAGONISTS AND DEVICES.

HCR158

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

158

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

requesting the auditor to assess the social and FINANCIAL
effects of PROPOSED mandatory health insurance coverage of generic opioid
antagonists and devices
.

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WHEREAS, in
2021, over one hundred thousand people died of a drug overdoses nationwide; and

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WHEREAS, of
those deaths, eighty percent involved the use of opioids; and

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WHEREAS, death
and injury from an opioid overdose can be prevented by the timely use of an
opioid antagonist, such as naloxone; and

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WHEREAS, although
all state Medicaid programs cover some form of naloxone, private health
insurers do not have similar coverage requirements, resulting in some
individuals suffering from opioid use disorders being unable to afford the
medication necessary for the treatment of their disorders; and

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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

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

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(1)
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Has been introduced in the legislature; and

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

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

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(B)
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Extent of the coverage;

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(C)
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Target groups that would be covered;

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(D)
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Limitations on utilization, if any; and

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(E)
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Standards of care.

For purposes of this part, mandated health insurance
coverage shall not include mandated optionals."; and

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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 Auditor's report; and

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WHEREAS,
House Bill No. , introduced in the Regular Session of
2026, proposes to expand existing health insurance mandates to cover generic
opioid antagonists and devices; now, therefore,

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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 conduct an impact assessment report in accordance with
sections 23-51 and 23-52, Hawaii Revised Statutes, of mandating health
insurance coverage for generic opioid antagonists and devices as proposed by
House Bill No. (Regular Session of 2026); and

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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

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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.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:
�

Auditor;
Impact Assessment Report; Mandatory Health Insurance Coverage; Opioid
Antagonists and Devices