HI SR121

Requests the State Auditor to conduct an assessment of the social and financial effects of mandating health insurance coverage for hearing aids as proposed in S.B. No. 1494 (2025), pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes sections 23-51 and 23-52.

Requires the Auditor's assessment to include: the number of Hawaii residents with hearing loss who may be affected, current replacement frequency standards and cost limitations across public and private entities, whether different standards apply to adults versus minors, existing medically necessary standards of care for hearing aid selection, and current and future hearing aid technology.

Directs the Auditor to disregard requests to cease the assessment from any individual or entity other than the Legislature acting as a whole, referencing a prior cessation of work on S.B. No. 2439 (2022) without stakeholder consultation.

Mandates the Auditor submit findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation updates to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the 2026 Regular Session convenes.

Provides context that single digital hearing aids cost $3,000 or more, approximately one-third of Americans ages 65-75 and one-half of those over 75 have hearing loss, and many delay or forgo purchasing hearing aids due to cost.