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.

HCR20

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

20

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE 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 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 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