Bill Text: HI SB1315 | 2018 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To Health.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-11-30 - Carried over to 2018 Regular Session. [SB1315 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2018-SB1315-Introduced.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
1315 |
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TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to health.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Native Hawaiians are more likely to develop chronic disease and die an average of ten years earlier than people of other ethnic groups in Hawaii. Native Hawaiians have among the highest rates of obesity, hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and certain cancers. Nationally, Native Hawaiians have among the highest mortality rates. Studies indicate that many Native Hawaiians feel alienated from and have a mistrust of the present health care system, preferring more culturally acceptable means of managing their health.
The legislature further finds that section 226-20, Hawaii Revised Statutes, sets objectives and policies of the Hawaii state plan for socio-cultural advancement of health with specific language that requires the prioritization of programs, services, interventions, and activities that address identified social determinants of health intended to improve Native Hawaiian health and well-being consistent with the United States Congress' declaration of policy as codified in 42 United States Code section 11702, and to reduce disparities among disproportionately affected demographic groups, including Native Hawaiians, other Pacific islanders, and Filipinos. This law provides for the possibility that demographic groups other than Native Hawaiians may be reviewed for prioritization every ten years and revised based on the best available epidemiological and public health data.
The legislature additionally finds that, to address these issues, the Senate of the Twenty-Seventh Legislature of the State of Hawaii adopted Senate Resolution No. 60, creating a Native Hawaiian health task force to specifically improve the health of Native Hawaiians, other Pacific islanders, and all the people of Hawaii. The goal of the task force was to articulate policy priorities that would advance health equity for Native Hawaiians and, in turn, the health of the State's entire population. The framework and recommendations discussed by the task force were embraced by community members, agencies, the state government, and representatives of native-serving institutions. The work of the task force was community- and land-focused and emphasized Native Hawaiian cultural values and aspirations.
The task force used nā pou kihi as the cultural framework to organize the task force's findings and recommendations. Consistent with the hale, or home, as a metaphor for establishing a health and vibrant Native Hawaiian population, nā pou kihi reflects the four corner posts of a hale necessary to support the weight of the hale and everyone residing therein.
The legislature also finds that one of the nā pou kihi, referred to by the task force as ka hana pono, focused on the lifestyle choices and aspirations of Native Hawaiians striving for optimal health and well-being in ways consistent with their shared cultural values and practices. Ka hana pono includes the physical activities and foods enjoyed, the health care services accessed and received, the health opportunities available, and the cultural values and practices that Native Hawaiians respect and live by. The legislature further finds that traditional Native Hawaiian practices, including hula, lua, and canoe paddling, have been shown to be effective in the areas of weight management, cardiovascular health, diabetes management, and chronic kidney disease management.
This Act reflects the position of the senate on Native Hawaiian health care. The senate supports:
(1) Collaborative efforts to ensure that funding for Native Hawaiian health care continues;
(2) Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders by focusing on essential social and cultural determinants that improve health outcomes amongst the State's indigenous population;
(3) Options to improve health care for keiki and residents in rural areas; and
(4) Collaborative efforts to provide better dental care for keiki and adults throughout the State's communities.
The purpose of this Act is to expand health insurance benefits to include coverage for traditional Native Hawaiian practices with proven and demonstrable health benefits.
SECTION 2. Chapter 431, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to article 10A to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§431:10A- Native Hawaiian culture-based activities benefits. (a) Every policy of accident and health or sickness insurance issued or renewed in this State on or after January 1, 2018, shall include coverage for Native Hawaiian culture-based activities, including but not limited to canoe paddling, hula, and lua activities, that have empirically shown to be effective in the management of weight, cardiovascular health, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease.
(b) This section shall not apply to policies that provide coverage for specified diseases or other limited benefit coverage, as provided pursuant to section 431:10A-102.5."
SECTION 3. Chapter 432, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to article 1 to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§432:1- Native Hawaiian culture-based activities benefits. (a) Every hospital or medical service plan contract issued or renewed in this State on or after January 1, 2018, shall include coverage for Native Hawaiian culture-based activities, including but not limited to canoe paddling, hula, and lua activities, that have empirically shown to be effective in the management of weight, cardiovascular health, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease.
(b) This section shall not apply to policies that provide coverage for specified diseases or other limited benefit coverage, as provided pursuant to section 431:10A-102.5."
SECTION 4. Section 432D-23, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§432D-23 Required provisions and
benefits. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, each
policy, contract, plan, or agreement issued in the State after January 1, 1995,
by health maintenance organizations pursuant to this chapter, shall include
benefits provided in sections 431:10-212, 431:10A-115, 431:10A-115.5,
431:10A-116, 431:10A-116.2, 431:10A-116.5, 431:10A-116.6, 431:10A-119,
431:10A-120, 431:10A-121, 431:10A-122, 431:10A-125, 431:10A-126, 431:10A-132,
431:10A-133, 431:10A-134, 431:10A-140, and [431:10A-134,] 431:10A- ,
and chapter 431M."
SECTION 5. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, the mandatory coverage for Native Hawaiian culture-based activities required under sections 2, 3, and 4 of this Act shall apply to all health benefits plans under chapter 87A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, issued, renewed, modified, altered, or amended on or before the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 6. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Health Insurance; Mandatory Coverage Native Hawaiian Culture-based Activities
Description:
Requires all health benefits plans to include coverage for Native Hawaiian culture-based activities, including but not limited to canoe paddling, hula, and lua, that have empirically shown to be effective in the management of weight, cardiovascular health, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
