Charles Grant Hoke Memorial

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Stan Adkins and 35 co-sponsors

HCR 91 urges Hawaii insurers and managed care plans to cover prosthetic and orthotic devices, including activity-specific options, for residents with limb loss; non-binding.

House received Senate message

Summary — HCR 91 (2025, Hawaii) — Requesting insurance coverage for prosthetic and orthotic devices

Note on discrepancy: the bill header provided names HCR 91 as a congratulatory resolution for a high‑school basketball team, but the text of the measure and the legislative actions describe a Hawaii concurrent resolution requesting insurers to provide coverage for prosthetic and orthotic devices. This summary covers the actual resolution text provided.

Purpose and intent

HCR 91 is a non‑binding concurrent resolution of the Thirty‑third Hawaii Legislature (Regular Session of 2025) that urges health insurers and managed care providers operating in Hawaii to provide insurance coverage for prosthetic and orthotic devices. The resolution frames the request around the health, mobility, independence, and economic equity needs of people with limb loss, limb difference, and mobility impairments.

Key findings cited

There are more than 18,000 Hawaii residents living with limb loss, limb difference, or mobility impairments.

Current insurance policies frequently deny activity‑specific prosthetic and orthotic devices, forcing some individuals to use a single device that is not suitable for varied activities (e.g., running, cycling, swimming, bathing).

Lack of comprehensive coverage increases risk of injury, secondary health conditions (diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity), out‑of‑pocket costs, and reduced quality of life and economic opportunity.

Main provisions

The resolution "requests" (urges) health insurers and managed‑care providers in the State to provide insurance coverage for prosthetic and orthotic devices, including activity‑specific devices.

It directs that certified copies of the concurrent resolution be transmitted to the Insurance Commissioner and the chief executives of major Hawaii health plans and managed‑care organizations, naming specific recipients (Hawaii Medical Assurance Association; Hawaii Medical Service Association; Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Hospitals Hawaii; UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Hawaii; University Health Alliance; AlohaCare; ʻOhana Health Plan).

Who is affected

Primary beneficiaries: Hawaii residents with limb loss, limb difference, and mobility impairments who need prosthetic and orthotic devices.

Targeted actors: health insurers and managed‑care organizations operating in Hawaii, and the Insurance Commissioner (as regulatory recipient of the resolution).

Legal effect and likely impact

HCR 91 is a concurrent resolution and not a law; it does not create binding legal requirements. Its effect is advisory and symbolic: urging insurers and raising policy/regulatory attention.

Potential impacts include encouraging insurers to revise coverage policies voluntarily, informing regulator priorities, and providing a basis for future statutory or regulatory action to require coverage.

Procedural/timeline highlights

Filed: February 28, 2025.

Referred to committees (HLT, CPC, HHS, CPN); public hearing(s) held in March–April 2025.

Passed both chambers and adopted in final form in April 2025 (reported adopted April 23, 2025); placed on Congratulatory & Memorial Calendar and recorded May 23, 2025.

Companion measure: HR 87.

For readers tracking policy follow‑up: because this is non‑binding, look for subsequent statutory bills or Insurance Commissioner rulemaking that would mandate coverage or change benefit standards.