S.C.R. No. 151 Summary

• Requests the Auditor to conduct a social and financial assessment of S.B. No. 1494, which proposes mandatory health insurance coverage for hearing aids with a minimum benefit of $1,500 per hearing-impaired ear every 36 months.

• Requires the assessment to include: the number of Hawaii residents with hearing loss, current coverage standards and frequency of replacement for hearing aids, differences in replacement standards between adults and minors, medically necessary standards of care, and existing and future hearing aid technology.

• Directs the Auditor to adhere to legislative requests for assessments and disregard requests to cease work from individuals or entities other than the Legislature as a whole, referencing a prior assessment that was discontinued.

• Mandates the Auditor submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the Regular Session of 2026.

• Certifies copies to be transmitted to the Auditor and Insurance Commissioner.