REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO ASSESS THE SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL EFFECTS OF PROPOSED MANDATED HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR INTRAVENOUS KETAMINE THERAPY TO TREAT DEPRESSION.

SCR18

THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

18

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO ASSESS THE SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL
EFFECTS OF PROPOSED MANDATED HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR INTRAVENOUS KETAMINE
THERAPY TO TREAT DEPRESSION
.

����
WHEREAS, the
State has a duty to protect and improve the health and environment of its
residents; and

����
WHEREAS, a
number of state residents suffer from various mental illnesses, including major
depressive disorder, or treatment-resistant depression; and

����
WHEREAS, according
to an article published in Current Neuropharmacology, ketamine has rapid
antidepressant effects and is a valid option for the treatment of
treatment-resistant depression; and

����
WHEREAS, Senate
Bill No. 967 of the Thirty-Third Legislature of the State of Hawaii proposes to
require insurance coverage for intravenous ketamine therapy to treat depression;
and

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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 must
be 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; 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 pursuant
to section 23-51, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the Auditor is requested to assess both
the social and financial effects of the proposed mandated health insurance
coverage under Senate Bill No. 967 of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State
of Hawaii, which proposes to require insurance coverage for a percentage of the
costs of intravenous ketamine therapy to treat depression; 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

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the
Auditor and Insurance Commissioner.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:
�

Health;
Medicaid; Insurance; Ketamine Therapy; Auditor; Report