REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO ASSESS THE SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL EFFECTS OF REQUIRING HEALTH INSURERS TO PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR MEDICALLY NECESSARY PROTON BEAM THERAPY FOR CANCER TREATMENT.

HCR16

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

16

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO ASSESS THE SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL
EFFECTS OF REQUIRING HEALTH INSURERS TO PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR MEDICALLY
NECESSARY PROTON BEAM THERAPY FOR CANCER TREATMENT
.

����
WHEREAS, cancer
remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Hawaii; and

����
WHEREAS, radiation
therapy is a common and effective treatment modality for many types of cancer;
and

����
WHEREAS, proton
beam therapy is an advanced form of radiation therapy that delivers radiation
with greater precision, reducing radiation exposure to surrounding healthy
tissues and potentially reducing treatment-related side effects; and

����
WHEREAS, proton
beam therapy is considered medically necessary for certain cancer patients,
particularly those with tumors located near critical organs or tissues; and

����
WHEREAS, coverage
for proton beam therapy under commercial health insurance policies in Hawaii is
inconsistent and may be subject to restrictive clinical criteria; 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. 2145, introduced in the Regular Session of 2026, mandates health
insurance coverage for medically necessary proton beam therapy for cancer
treatment and prohibits imposing stricter clinical evidence standards on proton
beam therapy than on other radiation treatments for all policies, contracts,
plans, or agreements issued or renewed by health insurers, mutual benefit
societies, and health maintenance organizations on or after January 1, 2027;
and

����
WHEREAS, the
Legislature believes that mandatory health insurance coverage for medically
necessary proton beam therapy will improve access to appropriate cancer
treatment and improve treatment outcomes, quality of life, and long-term health
for cancer patients; 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 conduct an impact assessment report in accordance with
sections 23-51 and 23-52, Hawaii Revised Statutes, on mandating health
insurance coverage for medically necessary proton beam therapy for cancer
treatment as proposed by House Bill No. 2145 (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; Cancer Treatment; Proton Beam
Therapy; Mandatory Coverage