Healthcare

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 1139: RELATING TO MEDICAID.

Directs the Department of Human Services to adopt rules to expand Medicaid eligibility to all children in the State from birth to age 5 without regard to household income. Appropriates funds. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid eligibility for children 0-5 without income limits, appropriates funds to increase health coverage access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 787: RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Health to establish and operate a free statewide mental health warm line to provide mental health support in non-emergency situations. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAppropriates funds to establish a free statewide mental health warm line, directly expanding access to non-emergency mental health support through public funding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 2701: RELATING TO THE WEST HAWAII REGIONAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

SB 2701 appropriates state funds to plan, design, and build a new outpatient care center in North Kona, Hawaii. The bill directly affects residents in the West Hawaii region by providing resources for expanded local healthcare services. Key provisions include funding for site work, construction, and facility planning to support outpatient care needs. This is a funding measure, not a policy change, and does not alter existing healthcare laws or regulations. The bill passed committee recommendation on February 2, 2026, with all five committee members voting in favor.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill appropriates state funds for new outpatient care center construction in West Hawaii, directly expanding local healthcare services through infrastructure investment.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 389: RELATING TO THE GENERAL EXCISE TAX.

Expands the general excise tax exemption established by Act 47, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024, to include amounts received by optometrists, audiologists, and chiropractors, for healthcare-related goods or services purchased under the Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands general excise tax exemption for healthcare providers under Medicare/Medicaid, providing tax relief to covered professions per Act 47 (2024)92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands tax exemption for healthcare providers (optometrists, etc.) under Medicare/Medicaid, reducing costs and improving access to covered services.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands tax exemption for TRICARE-related healthcare services, directly improving veterans' access to care under their existing benefits.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 637: RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

SB 637 allocates state funds to support various nursing education programs within the University of Hawaii System. It directly affects the University of Hawaii System by providing dedicated financial resources for these specific nursing initiatives. The bill's key mechanism is the appropriation of state budget funds to cover program costs, though it does not specify exact program details. The funding becomes effective on July 31, 2050.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates state budget funds for nursing education programs, directly funding essential public services within UH System.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates state funds to nursing programs at UH System, directly funding higher education initiatives per bill's appropriation language.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates state funds to nursing education programs, directly supporting healthcare workforce development and training within the University of Hawaii System.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1043: RELATING TO TAXATION.

SB 1043 reduces the general excise tax rate on nonprescription drugs by 50%. This change directly affects consumers who purchase nonprescription medications, lowering their out-of-pocket costs. The bill's key provision is halving the existing tax rate, effective July 1, 3000. It does not alter other tax rates or create new government programs. The bill passed a committee recommendation with four supportive votes in February 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReduces excise tax on nonprescription drugs, providing direct tax relief to consumers, aligning with support indicators for tax relief.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareReduces excise tax on nonprescription drugs, lowering consumer costs and improving access to essential healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 642: RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Requires all health insurance policies, contracts, plans, and agreements issued or renewed after 12/31/2025, to provide optional coverage for standard fertility preservation services for persons undergoing medically necessary cancer-related treatments that may cause iatrogenic infertility. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD2)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates optional fertility preservation coverage for cancer patients in insurance plans, expanding access to medically necessary reproductive health services under healthcare coverage.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1439: RELATING TO NUISANCES.

Clarifies that the Department of Health has the legal authority and obligation to prevent and address nuisances that affect environmental health or public health, or both. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentClarifies DOH authority to address environmental health nuisances, strengthening regulatory capacity for pollution prevention and public health protection.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies DOH's authority to address public health nuisances, strengthening enforcement of health protections under public health programs.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1494: RELATING TO HEARING AIDS.

Requires health insurance policies and contracts issued on or after 1/1/2026 to provide optional coverage for the cost of hearing aids at a minimum $1,500 per hearing aid for each hearing-impaired ear every thirty-six months. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates health insurance coverage for hearing aids, expanding access to a specific healthcare service and aligning with coverage expansion indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1040: RELATING TO MEDICAL DEBT.

Requires the Office of Wellness and Resilience to conduct a study on the cost and feasibility of establishing a program to acquire and forgive medical debt owed by certain households in the State. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 12/31/2050. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStudy on forgiving medical debt directly improves healthcare access by reducing financial barriers for households, aligning with support indicators.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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