Healthcare

passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 2488: RELATING TO THE DISABILITY AND COMMUNICATION ACCESS BOARD.

Requires the Disability and Communication Access Board to study the health care communication needs of patients who are deaf, hard-of-hearing, or deaf-blind. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires study on healthcare communication needs for deaf/hard-of-hearing/deaf-blind patients to improve access, aligning with patient access improvement indicators.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 2161: 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 7/31/2055. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes a special fund with targeted fee to appropriate funds for pharmacy workforce planning, directly advancing fiscal management of state education programs.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes fund for pharmacist workforce assessment/planning, directly supporting healthcare workforce development and infrastructure through appropriations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 2173: RELATING TO AMBULANCES.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Health to purchase one advanced life support ambulance and related equipment to be based in central Maui, fund pay-related personnel costs for state-certified emergency medical services personnel, and increase the predictability and stability of available air ambulance services for all islands in the State. Effective 1/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAppropriates funds for ambulance equipment, personnel, and statewide air ambulance network to improve emergency medical access and service stability - directly funds healthcare infrastructure.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 2159: RELATING TO HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

HB 2159 funds health care workforce development programs at the University of Hawaii. It appropriates state funds to establish new positions within the university focused on training and supporting health care workers. This bill directly affects the University of Hawaii's ability to expand its health care workforce initiatives. The key provision is the allocation of dedicated funding to create these new roles, aiming to strengthen Hawaii's health care workforce pipeline.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds health care workforce development at UH, creating training positions to strengthen Hawaii's healthcare pipeline through dedicated state appropriations.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds health care workforce training programs, strengthening Hawaii's employment pipeline and supporting worker development within health care sector.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 1535: RELATING TO AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS.

Establishes an income tax credit for automated external defibrillator devices that are installed and placed in service in certain places of public accommodation located in the State, subject to registration requirements. Authorizes the Department of Health to establish a statewide automated external defibrillator registry to collect and maintain certain information. Requires the owner or operator of an automated external defibrillator located in a place of public accommodation to conduct certain maintenance. Requires reporting of certain automated external defibrillator data to the Department of Health. Requires the Department of Health to coordinate with certain entities. Requires the Department of Health to request funds from the 911 Fund for the establishment and maintenance of the automated external defibrillator registry. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes income tax credit for AED purchases, providing direct tax relief to eligible businesses under fiscal policy.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides tax credit for AEDs in public places, improving emergency cardiac care access and supporting public health initiatives.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 1966: RELATING TO THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES SPECIAL FUND.

Amends the Emergency Medical Services Special Fund by authorizing the deposit of revenues from billable emergency medical services. Amends the composition and allowable uses of the special fund. Establishes a cap on the unencumbered and unexpended balance in the special fund. Exempts expenditures from the special fund from chapters 103D and 103F, HRS. Discontinues the allocation of cigarette tax revenues to the special fund beginning 1/1/2027. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes deposit of EMS revenue into special fund, amending allowable uses to manage healthcare services funding for emergency medical services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 2115: RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Human Services to issue supplemental contracts to community-based organizations to address increases in costs related to labor, insurance, utilities, rent, and gas. For any multi-year contracts entered into or renewed beginning in fiscal year 2027-2028, requires the Department of Human Services to issue a Request for Information to determine whether any existing contract remains fiscally sound and thereafter determine, with the consent of the contractor, whether a new request for proposals should be issued. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates funds to Department of Human Services for supplemental contracts addressing increased operational costs, directly supporting budget allocation for essential services.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill appropriates funds to community-based organizations addressing rising costs (labor, insurance, etc.) to maintain human services, directly supporting healthcare access and program stability.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 1965: RELATING TO PRIMARY CARE.

Establishes the Primary Care Providers Working Group within the State Health Planning and Development Agency to address issues relating to, and develop recommendations for the stabilization of, primary care services in Hawaii. Requires the Working Group to make a report to the Legislature. Sunsets the Working Group on 6/30/2027. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates 6-12% of medical spending for primary care, direct payments to providers, and rural access - expands coverage and improves access to primary care services.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 2425: RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE.

Requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations to honor a patient's written assignment of benefits to a substance use disorder treatment provider. Prohibits health insurance policies, plans, contracts, and agreements from including anti-assignment clauses that restrict or invalidate a patient's right to assign benefits. Authorizes the Insurance Commissioner to adopt rules and take enforcement action to ensure compliance. Deems violations to be unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices in the business of insurance. Requires insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations to furnish an explanation of benefits to the assigned provider upon request. Effective 1/30/2050. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurers to honor patient assignments to substance use disorder providers, improving access to mental health treatment and protecting patient rights under healthcare coverage.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 23, 2026

HR 205: COMMENDING AND HONORING ALAN JOHNSON FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO ADDRESSING SUBSTANCE AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ISSUES THROUGH HINA MAUKA.

This bill is a House Resolution that formally recognizes and honors Alan Johnson for his nearly 30 years of leadership at Hina Mauka, a substance and behavioral health organization in Hawaii. The resolution acknowledges his role in expanding services to over 70,000 individuals, introducing evidence-based therapies, and developing programs for women, adolescents, and Native Hawaiian communities. It celebrates his retirement and expresses gratitude for his contributions to the organization and the broader community. The measure does not create new laws or policies but serves as a ceremonial tribute to his service.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill honors contributions to substance and behavioral health services, recognizing expanded access and evidence-based therapies for 70,000+ individuals.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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