This Senate concurrent resolution urges Maui Health to work with partners to create a full-time medical residency program on Maui to address a critical shortage of physicians, which worsened after the 2023 wildfires. The bill specifically asks Maui Health to use available federal funding from the Rural Health Transformation Program and seek additional resources to establish the program in family medicine and internal medicine. It requires Maui Health to include local health centers in the planning process and submit a progress report to the Legislature by early 2027. The resolution is directed at healthcare administrators and stakeholders rather than imposing new laws or penalties.
This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii State Center for Nursing to conduct a study compiling recommended safe patient staffing ratios for various hospital units and healthcare settings. The study will use existing state bills as a framework and incorporate guidelines from major professional nursing organizations, including those specializing in critical care, emergency, pediatric, and psychiatric nursing. The Center for Nursing is asked to submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature and Department of Health by early 2027, with the goal of providing data to help healthcare facilities implement safer staffing levels.
This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges Hawaii's Department of Health to coordinate the stockpiling of a three-year supply of mifepristone, a medication commonly used in medical abortions. The resolution is based on concerns about potential disruptions to the medication's supply chain and aims to ensure continued access to abortion care within the state. It directs the Department of Health to determine the appropriate quantities for this stockpile and requires sending a copy of the resolution to the state's health director. The measure does not mandate specific actions but serves as a formal recommendation to the health department regarding medication availability.
Authorizes a registered pharmacist under contract with a covered entity for purposes of the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program to supervise the filling or receipt of a prescription via telehealth in certain circumstances. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
SB 298 would allocate additional state funds to the Department of Human Services to expand Medicaid in-home care services. This directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries requiring in-home support, such as elderly or disabled individuals, by increasing access to these services. The bill's key provision is a funding increase for existing in-home care programs under Medicaid, effective July 1, 3000. It is currently pending committee review in the Health and Human Services committee.
Allows for the regulation of sports wagering by the Department of Law Enforcement. Establishes licensing requirements for sports wagering operators and sports wagering suppliers. Establishes a general excise tax to be levied on sports wagering operator licenses. Establishes the Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Special Fund to be administered and expended by the Department of Health. Specifies that legal sports wagering and fantasy sports contests shall not be considered contests of chance or gambling. Authorizes DLE to perform criminal history record checks on applicants and licensees relating to sports wagering. (SD2)
Requires utilization review entities to submit data relating to the prior authorization of health care services to the State Health Planning and Development Agency. Establishes the Health Care Appropriateness and Necessity Working Group within the State Health Planning and Development Agency. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)
HB 784 appropriates funds for an additional ambulance based in Makalei on the island of Hawaii, effective July 1, 2050. This bill directly affects emergency medical services on the island by expanding ambulance capacity in the Makalei area. The measure is a straightforward funding allocation with no additional policy changes or regulatory provisions. It was recommended for passage by the Health Committee with amendments in February 2025.
Adopts the Uniform Health Care Decisions Act (2023), as modified, to replace existing chapters related to advance health care directives and advance mental health care directives. (CD1)
Authorizes an attending physician to request a functional capacity examination and refer an injured employee for the examination without first obtaining permission from the employee's employer. Allows licensed occupational and physical therapists to be deemed qualified to perform functional capacity examinations. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)
