Healthcare

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 102: URGING THE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER TO STUDY THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF EXPANDING THE USE OF MAIL-ORDER PHARMACY IN THE STATE.

This Senate Resolution asks Hawaii's Insurance Commissioner to study how expanding mail-order pharmacy services could benefit residents. The study would examine impacts on medication adherence, cost savings, access for rural and disabled populations, and system reliability during emergencies. It does not change current laws but requests a report with findings and recommendations to be submitted to the Legislature by early 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill seeks to expand mail-order pharmacy access, improving medication adherence and access for rural/disabled populations, which strengthens healthcare services.85% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

Track

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 50: ESTABLISHING THE HAWAII HEALTH PLAN WORKING GROUP TO DESIGN AND RECOMMEND A BASIC, AFFORDABLE HAWAII HEALTH PLAN AVAILABLE TO EVERY RESIDENT OF THE STATE.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution establishes the Hawaii Health Plan Working Group to design and recommend a basic, affordable health plan available to every resident of the state. The working group will include representatives from the legislature, governor's office, insurance commissioner, state health planning agency, Hawaii Medical Service Association, and Kaiser Permanente. The group is tasked with developing a plan to address potential increases in uninsured residents due to changes in federal health insurance subsidies and Medicaid work requirements, with a report due to the Legislature by late 2026. The working group will cease to exist on June 30, 2027, after submitting its final recommendations and any proposed legislation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes working group to design affordable health plan for every resident, expanding coverage and access.90% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 49: ESTABLISHING THE HAWAII HEALTH PLAN WORKING GROUP TO DESIGN AND RECOMMEND A BASIC, AFFORDABLE HAWAII HEALTH PLAN AVAILABLE TO EVERY RESIDENT OF THE STATE.

This Senate Resolution establishes a Hawaii Health Plan Working Group to design and recommend a basic, affordable health plan available to every resident of the state. The working group will include representatives from the Senate health committee, the Governor's office, the Insurance Commissioner, the State Health Planning and Development Agency, the Hawaii Medical Service Association, and Kaiser Permanente. The group is tasked with developing a report with recommendations and proposed legislation by October 2026, with the goal of submitting final findings to the Legislature by early 2027. The resolution references existing federal changes that may increase the number of uninsured residents and draws on Hawaii's previous State Health Insurance Program Act as a model for a similar state-level solution. The working group is authorized to cease operations on June 30, 2027, after completing its review and recommendations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes working group to design affordable health plan for every resident, expanding coverage and improving access.90% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 79: ENCOURAGING THE STATE TO EXAMINE REQUIRING AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS IN ALL STATE-OWNED BUILDINGS AND PURSUE EXISTING AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR PROGRAMS.

This Senate Resolution encourages the State of Hawaii to consider mandating automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in all state-owned buildings and to pursue existing AED programs. AEDs are portable devices that can restore normal heart rhythm during cardiac arrest, with survival rates dropping significantly for each minute without treatment. The resolution also highlights the need for AED training programs, noting that while some organizations offer such education, the state currently lacks legislatively mandated training initiatives. The bill directs the Director of Health and the Comptroller to receive copies of this resolution for further review and action.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill encourages state to mandate AEDs in buildings and pursue AED training programs, improving emergency cardiac care access and public health safety.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House May 8, 2026

HCR 32: REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR'S SENIOR ADVISOR FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM TO FORMULATE A PLAN TO CREATE PLACES OF SHELTER FOR PERSONS UNDER CIVIL COMMITMENT AND FOR PERSONS WHO HAVE BEEN RECENTLY RELEASED FROM THE HAWAII STATE HOSPITAL AND ARE AT RISK OF RECIDIVISM.

This bill requests the Governor's Senior Advisor for Mental Health and the Justice System to develop a plan for increasing access to the Hawaii State Hospital for mentally ill criminal defendants and individuals recently released from the hospital who are at risk of returning to the justice system. The resolution addresses concerns that the hospital is currently at full capacity and that existing diversion programs have not effectively reduced the jail population due to a lack of coordination between state agencies. The plan must identify suitable placements for people in civil commitment or those being evaluated for fitness to stand trial, with a report and any proposed legislation due to the Legislature before the start of the 2027 session.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill seeks to improve access to mental health treatment for criminal defendants, reducing recidivism and strengthening rehabilitation programs within the justice system.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill seeks to increase access to mental health services at Hawaii State Hospital for criminal defendants, addressing capacity issues and improving care coordination.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House May 1, 2026

HB 1546: RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE.

Establishes a 3-year Health Coverage Continuity Pilot Program within the Department of Human Services, in consultation with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, to assist individuals who have lost Medicaid health insurance coverage and lack access to other health insurance options. Authorizes the Department of Human Services to contract with a nonprofit health insurer or community-based organization to operate the Pilot Program under certain circumstances. Authorizes the Department of Human Services to issue premium subsidies in certain circumstances. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates moneys. Sunsets 6/30/2029. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates Health Coverage Continuity Pilot Program to maintain Medicaid access for vulnerable populations, expanding coverage continuity and access per bill's explicit purpose.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House May 1, 2026

HB 1591: RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Expands the definitions of "preceptor" and "volunteer‑based supervised clinical training rotation" applicable to the Healthcare Preceptor Tax Credit to improve accessibility for providers to receive income tax credits for acting as preceptors, including removing "primary care" from the criteria to qualify as a preceptor. Adds physician assistants, dietitians, and social workers to the list of preceptors and eligible students. Expands eligibility for the tax credit to include accredited residency programs that require preceptor support. Adds the Director of Health and representatives of residency programs with eligible students to the Preceptor Credit Assurance Committee. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax credit eligibility for healthcare preceptors, providing tax relief to incentivize provider participation in clinical training programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands tax credit eligibility for healthcare preceptors (including PAs/social workers), removing barriers to increase provider training and accessibility.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House May 1, 2026

HB 1898: RELATING TO HEALTH.

Specifies that no person is subject to liability for providing clinical preventive services in accordance with Department of Health recommendations. Requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies, health maintenance organizations, and plans established by the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust to provide coverage for clinical preventive services. Authorizes the Department of Health to make recommendations relating to clinical preventive services and issue standing orders for medications and immunizations. Clarifies that, for coverage for child health supervision services, the prevailing medical standards include recommendations by the Department of Health. Specifies that coverage for clinical preventive services shall not be denied on the basis of medical necessity or subject to prior authorization. Specifies that a registered pharmacist may order a vaccine in accordance with the recommendations from the Department of Health. Exempts this measure from an Auditor impact assessment report. Effective 1/30/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates health insurance coverage for pediatric immunization services by requiring Department of Health to treat AAP/ACIP recommendations as prevailing medical standard.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

Track

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 1, 2026

SB 2657: RELATING TO ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND RELATED DEMENTIAS RESEARCH.

Establishes the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Research Center of Hawaii (Research Center) within the University of Hawaii. Requires the Research Center to be administratively affiliated with the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM). Requires JABSOM, the Research Center, University of Hawaii Center on Aging, and University of Hawaii at Manoa to identify opportunities to capitalize on collaboration between the parties and maximize operational efficiencies. Requires the Research Center to submit annual reports to the Legislature. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes Alzheimer's research center with funding, requiring collaboration to advance dementia research and treatment within healthcare system.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House May 1, 2026

HB 1972: RELATING TO TAXATION.

Establishes a family caregiver tax credit for nonpaid family caregivers. Requires the Department of Taxation to submit annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2026. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates family caregiver tax credit (tax relief) and appropriates funds, aligning with support indicators for middle-income tax relief and fiscal responsibility.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFamily caregiver tax credit reduces financial burden on unpaid caregivers, improving access to in-home healthcare support for patients.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track