Healthcare

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 6, 2026

HB 1542: RELATING TO COMPASSIONATE ACCESS TO MEDICAL CANNABIS.

Allows terminally ill patients and qualifying patients over sixty-five years of age with chronic diseases to use medical cannabis within specified health care facilities under certain conditions. Requires enforcement by the Department of Health. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands patient access to medical cannabis for terminally ill and elderly with chronic diseases in healthcare facilities, improving treatment access within healthcare system.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 218: RELATING TO HOSPITALS.

Requires any hospital licensed by the Department of Health that has an operating room to adopt and implement policies to prevent exposure to surgical smoke. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates hospitals to adopt surgical smoke exposure prevention policies, enhancing patient/staff safety in healthcare delivery and aligning with health service protection indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 553: RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Beginning 1/1/2026, requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies, health maintenance organizations, and health plans under the State's Medicaid managed care program to provide coverage for biomarker testing. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurers and Medicaid plans to cover biomarker testing, expanding diagnostic access and strengthening coverage requirements under health insurance regulations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 872: RELATING TO HEALTH.

Authorizes health care practitioners to make undesignated prescriptions of single-use epinephrine for the purpose of stocking a supply at various types of businesses and state and county government offices, including public schools. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes epinephrine stockpiling in schools/public spaces, improving emergency access for allergic reactions - directly enhances patient access to critical care.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1004: RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

HB 1004 adopts the Uniform Health Care Decisions Act (2023) to replace Hawaii's existing chapters 327E and 327G in the Revised Statutes. The bill directly affects Hawaii residents by establishing a standardized framework for advance healthcare directives, appointing healthcare agents, and clarifying decision-making processes during medical emergencies. Key provisions include allowing individuals to formally document their healthcare preferences and designate a trusted person to make decisions if they become unable to do so. The law, effective July 1, 3000, aims to streamline and modernize healthcare decision-making across the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStandardizes advance healthcare directives, protecting patient autonomy and decision-making rights in medical emergencies per Uniform Health Care Decisions Act adoption.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 617: RELATING TO NURSING.

HB 617 appropriates state funds to establish a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program at the University of Hawaii Maui College, effective July 1, 3000. The bill directly affects UH Maui College students and nursing education in Maui County by creating a new academic pathway for nursing degrees. Its key provision is the allocation of dedicated state funding to develop and operate this specific degree program. The bill does not alter existing nursing regulations or licensure requirements, focusing solely on program establishment through state appropriations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates state funds for a new BSN program at UH Maui College, directly expanding higher education access and funding for nursing education.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds BSN program at UH Maui College, directly supporting nursing workforce development and healthcare education through state appropriation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 940: RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT HILO.

HB 940 allocates state funds to support the rat lungworm disease research lab at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. This bill directly affects the university's lab and indirectly benefits Hawaii residents by advancing research on rat lungworm, a disease transmitted through contaminated food or water. The key provision is the appropriation of dedicated funding for the lab's operations, with the bill effective July 1, 3000 (note: likely a typo for 2030). The legislation focuses on providing concrete financial support for this specific research initiative, without altering broader public policy.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates state funds for UH Hilo research lab, directly funding a program through budget allocation (Subjects: Appropriation ($)95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates state funds for rat lungworm disease research at UH Hilo, advancing public health initiatives through disease research funding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 646: RELATING TO SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME.

Requires the Department of Human Services to automatically enroll, or authorize the Social Security Administration to automatically enroll, in the State's Medicaid program any individual in the State who receives federal Supplemental Security Income benefits. Requires reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAutomatically enrolls SSI recipients into Medicaid, expanding health coverage access for vulnerable populations without additional steps.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 223: RELATING TO PHARMACY.

Establishes the Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy Special Fund to support pharmacist workforce assessment and planning efforts. Establishes the pharmacist workforce assessment fee. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy Special Fund via appropriation and pharmacist fee, directly funding workforce planning within state budget framework.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a pharmacy workforce fund with appropriations for pharmacist assessment/planning. Pharmacists are medical professionals, directly supporting healthcare workforce development.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 842: RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Appropriates funds to the University of Hawaii at Manoa to establish additional permanent mental health practitioner positions within the Division of Student Success' Counseling and Student Development Center. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates funds for mental health practitioners at UH Manoa, strengthening student support services within higher education.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAppropriates funds for additional mental health practitioner positions at UH, directly expanding student mental health services funding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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