REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO ASSESS THE SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL EFFECTS OF MANDATORY HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR BIOMARKER TESTING.

HCR35

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

35

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO assess the SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL
effects of MANDATORY HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR biomarker testing
.

����
WHEREAS,
biomarker testing is an invaluable tool in the diagnosis, treatment,
appropriate managements, and ongoing monitoring of diseases or conditions; and

����
WHEREAS,
biomarker testing is the analysis of a patient's tissue, blood, or other
biospecimen for the presence of a biomarker, a type of precision medicine that
looks for genes, proteins, and other substances that can provide information
about a patient's chronic condition; and

����
WHEREAS,
biomarker testing allows for a more precise and personalized approach to
medical care by identifying specific genetic, molecular, or biochemical markers
associated with an individual's disease; and

����
WHEREAS,
biomarker testing enables health care providers to tailor treatments based on
the unique characteristics of

a patient's condition, leading to more effective and
targeted interventions; and

����
WHEREAS,
despite the fact that biomarker testing is essential to high-quality,
personalized care to treat serious illness and enhance patients' quality of
life, patients cannot easily access it; and

����
WHEREAS,
House Bill No. 1971, introduced in the Regular Session of 2026, requires
insurers, mutual benefit societies, health maintenance organizations, and
health plans under the State's Medicaid managed care program to provide
coverage for medically necessary biomarker testing for the purposes of diagnosis,
treatment, appropriate management, or ongoing monitoring of a person's disease
or condition to guide treatment decisions when supported by medical and
scientific evidence; 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
shall be passed that designate a specific legislative bill for the Auditor to
review and prepare a report for submission to the Legislature that assesses
both the social and financial effects of the proposed mandated coverage"
under that legislative bill; 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
coverage mandate in the State Auditor's report; 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 assess, in accordance with sections 23‑51
and 23‑52, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the social and financial effects of
mandating health insurance coverage for medically necessary biomarker testing
for the purposes of diagnosis, treatment, appropriate management, or ongoing
monitoring of a person's disease or condition, or to guide treatment decisions
when supported by medical and scientific evidence, as provided in House Bill
No. 1971, Regular Session of 2026; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Auditor is requested to submit a report of its 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, Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, and Insurance
Commissioner.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:
�

Auditor;
Impact Assessment Report; Mandatory Health Insurance Coverage; Biomarker
Testing