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HCR 35

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

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Terez Amato and 15 co-sponsors

Hawaii auditor directed to assess financial and social impacts of potentially mandating insurance coverage for biomarker testing to inform future policy decisions.

Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 543).
#auditor #biomarkertesting #impactassessmentreport #mandatoryhealthinsurancecoverage
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Bill Summary · HCR 35

Legislative bill overview

HCR 35 is a resolution requesting Hawaii's state auditor to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the social and financial effects of mandating health insurance coverage for biomarker testing. The resolution does not itself impose a mandate but rather directs an independent audit to evaluate what such a mandate would cost and how it would impact Hawaii residents and the healthcare system.

Why is this important

Biomarker testing—diagnostic tests that identify biological markers for diseases like cancer, cardiovascular conditions, and genetic disorders—can be expensive and is not uniformly covered by insurance plans. Understanding the fiscal impact and accessibility effects of mandatory coverage would inform whether Hawaii should pursue broader legislative action requiring insurers to cover these tests. This audit could influence healthcare policy affecting both individual patients' access to preventive testing and insurance premium costs.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost implications: Mandatory coverage could increase insurance premiums for all policyholders, raising questions about whether society-wide cost increases are justified by individual health benefits
  • Coverage scope ambiguity: Biomarker testing encompasses hundreds of different tests with varying clinical validity; the resolution doesn't specify which tests would be included, making fiscal projections difficult
  • Insurance market competition: Mandates may disadvantage Hawaii insurers competing with out-of-state plans and could affect coverage availability in a limited insurance market

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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