URGING THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE STATE HEALTH PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY TO ESTABLISH A WORKING GROUP ON HEALTH INSURANCE REFORM TO PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REDUCING THE IMPACT OF PRIOR AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENTS ON THE TIMELY DELIVERY OF HEALTH CARE IN THE STATE.

This Senate Resolution (SR 6) urges Hawaii's State Health Planning and Development Agency to create a working group focused on reducing delays caused by insurance prior authorization requirements. The group would include 15 members representing insurers, healthcare providers, consumers, and employers, plus agency officials, to study specific practices like 24-hour response times for urgent care and longer validity periods for medications. It requires the group to examine how prior authorization impacts timely care and propose solutions, including potential policy changes. The working group must submit its recommendations to the Legislature by early 2026. This resolution does not change laws but seeks to inform future legislative action on insurance approval processes.