Hawaii Senate Bill SCR4

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/21/26
• Introduced: 1/22/26
• Refer: 2/13/26

Caption

Requesting The Auditor To Assess Both The Social And Financial Effects Of Proposed Mandated Health Insurance Coverage For Annual Mental Health Wellness Examinations.

Impact

Under Hawaii Revised Statutes section 23-51, any legislation mandating health insurance coverage must be preceded by a concurrent resolution requesting the Auditor to evaluate its implications. SCR4 effectively sets the stage for a comprehensive analysis related to Senate Bill No. 46, which seeks to ensure that insurance policies cover the costs associated with annual mental health wellness examinations. This resolution aims to inform stakeholders about the projected financial and societal costs that mandating this coverage would impose.

Summary

SCR4 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution from the State of Hawaii aimed at establishing an assessment of both the social and financial impacts of proposed mandated health insurance coverage specifically for annual mental health wellness examinations. The resolution highlights the importance of mental health in overall health and notes that a significant number of residents suffer from various mental health disorders. It recognizes that affordability remains a barrier to receiving necessary care, with one in five adults experiencing a diagnosable mental illness each year.

Conclusion

SCR4 represents a proactive step by Hawaii's legislature to ensure that proposed health mandates are thoroughly evaluated before they are enacted, balancing the need for accessible mental health care with considerations of fiscal responsibility. The scheduled report, due prior to the 2027 legislative session, will provide critical insights that could shape future policies regarding mental health services in Hawaii.

Contention

The need for assessment arises from the recognition that mental health care is often underfunded and under-researched in terms of insurance mandates. Proponents of the resolution may argue that annual mental health assessments could lead to better health outcomes and reduced long-term health costs by identifying issues earlier. However, there might be opposition from some stakeholders concerned about the financial strain that mandated coverage could place on insurance providers and consumers alike. Discussions surrounding the resolution are likely to address these competing interests.