Healthcare (Primary Care)

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jun 26, 2026

GM 1246: Informing the Legislature that on June 25, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB1854 HD1 SD2 CD1 (ACT 145).

This bill establishes a new office within the Department of Health to certify community behavioral health clinics and provide them with technical assistance. The legislation creates an oversight board and a certifying office staffed by specific roles like a quality manager and data engineer to manage these clinics. The new office will set certification standards that meet or exceed federal requirements, administer a fixed payment system for services, and monitor clinic compliance. Clinics that meet these criteria will be officially certified to ensure consistent access to mental health and substance use services across the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates a new office to certify behavioral health clinics, provide technical assistance, and improve service standards, directly strengthening mental health infrastructure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Primary Care

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SCR 27: URGING MAUI HEALTH SYSTEM TO COLLABORATE WITH STAKEHOLDERS TO ESTABLISH A FULL-TIME MEDICAL RESIDENCY PROGRAM ON THE ISLAND OF MAUI.

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill urges establishment of medical residency program to address physician shortage, improve access, and utilize federal funding for healthcare infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 9, 2026

HR 163: URGING MAUI HEALTH TO COLLABORATE WITH STAKEHOLDERS TO ESTABLISH A FULL-TIME MEDICAL RESIDENCY PROGRAM ON THE ISLAND OF MAUI.

This House Resolution urges Maui Health to partner with state agencies and medical stakeholders to create a full-time medical residency program on Maui, addressing a critical shortage of physicians that worsened after the 2023 wildfires. The bill specifically recommends using federal Rural Health Transformation Program funding to cover initial costs while seeking additional resources from grants and private partnerships. It requests collaboration with the John A. Burns School of Medicine and local health centers, and asks Maui Health to submit a progress report to the Legislature by early 2027. This non-binding resolution aims to improve access to primary care and specialist services for Maui's underserved population without mandating specific actions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill advocates for establishing a medical residency program on Maui to address physician shortages and improve healthcare access, utilizing federal funding and partnerships.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care

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passed both · Hawaii · House May 8, 2026

HCR 173: URGING MAUI HEALTH SYSTEM TO COLLABORATE WITH STAKEHOLDERS TO ESTABLISH A FULL-TIME MEDICAL RESIDENCY PROGRAM ON THE ISLAND OF MAUI.

This bill urges Maui Health to work with state agencies, medical schools, and community health centers to create a full-time medical residency program on Maui. It highlights the island's severe shortage of physicians, which worsened after the 2023 wildfires and currently leaves many residents without access to primary care and specialized services. The resolution specifically asks Maui Health to use available federal funding from the Rural Health Transformation Program to help cover the costs of establishing the program. Additionally, the bill requires Maui Health to report its progress and recommendations to the Legislature within 20 days before the 2027 session begins.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill urges establishment of medical residency program to address physician shortage and improve healthcare access on Maui.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care

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in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 18, 2026

HCR 156: REQUESTING THE HAWAIʻI HEALTH SYSTEMS CORPORATION'S EAST HAWAIʻI REGIONAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM TO CONDUCT A FEASIBILITY STUDY ON ESTABLISHING A RURAL HEALTH CLINIC OR COMPARABLE RURAL HEALTH ACCESS POINT TO SERVE THE VOLCANO COMMUNITY.

This bill requests the Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corporation's East Hawaiʻi Regional Health Care System to conduct a feasibility study on establishing a rural health clinic or similar access point to serve the Volcano community. The study will examine potential locations, operational models such as part-time providers or mobile clinics, staffing needs, costs, and partnership opportunities with local organizations. The bill aims to address the community's lack of direct primary care access and emergency stabilization capacity, which are compounded by geographic isolation and environmental hazards. If the study finds it viable, the resolution directs the health system to submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill seeks to improve healthcare access in Volcano community by establishing a rural health clinic or access point, directly supporting healthcare infrastructure and patient access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 21: REQUESTING THE HAWAIʻI HEALTH SYSTEMS CORPORATION'S EAST HAWAIʻI REGIONAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM TO CONDUCT A FEASIBILITY STUDY ON ESTABLISHING A RURAL HEALTH CLINIC OR COMPARABLE RURAL HEALTH ACCESS POINT TO SERVE THE VOLCANO COMMUNITY.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 21) requests the Hawai'i Health Systems Corporation's East Hawai'i Regional Health Care System to study establishing a rural health clinic or similar access point in Volcano, Hawaii. The resolution directly affects Volcano residents and visitors, who currently lack nearby primary care, emergency stabilization, and consistent medical services due to geographic isolation and hazards. The study must examine potential sites, operational models (like part-time care or telehealth), staffing, costs, partnerships with local groups, and benefits for emergency response and chronic care. The East Hawai'i Region must submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by late 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill requests feasibility study for rural health clinic in Volcano to address lack of primary care/emergency services, directly improving healthcare access in underserved community95% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care Telehealth

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passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 18: REQUESTING THE HAWAIʻI HEALTH SYSTEMS CORPORATION'S EAST HAWAIʻI REGIONAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM TO CONDUCT A FEASIBILITY STUDY ON ESTABLISHING A RURAL HEALTH CLINIC OR COMPARABLE RURAL HEALTH ACCESS POINT TO SERVE THE VOLCANO COMMUNITY.

This Senate Resolution (SR 18) requests the Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corporation's East Hawaiʻi Regional Health Care System to study establishing a rural health clinic in Volcano, Hawaiʻi. It directly affects Volcano residents - who currently lack nearby primary care, emergency services, and face geographic barriers - and visitors to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The study must examine potential clinic sites, operational models (like part-time care or mobile clinics), costs, staffing, and partnerships with local groups. The resolution does not create new services but asks for a feasibility report to be submitted to the Legislature by late 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequests feasibility study to establish rural clinic addressing healthcare access gap for Volcano residents lacking primary care services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 3254: RELATING TO THE STATE BUDGET.

Appropriates funds to be expended by the Department of Health as a grant for the Hawaii Primary Care Association to support solar-plus-storage microgrid implementation at community health centers in medically underserved communities, and provide programmatic services, project management, contract management, reporting and fiscal stewardship responsibilities, and developing future scalable plans for the development and deployment of solar-plus-storage microgrids at nonprofit community health centers. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates state budget funds for solar microgrids at community health centers, directly funding a public service program through grant allocation.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyFunds solar-plus-storage microgrids at health centers, directly investing in renewable energy infrastructure for underserved communities.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAppropriates funds to community health centers in medically underserved areas via grant, improving infrastructure access and operational capacity for healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Energy Resilience Solar Primary Care

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 2848: RELATING TO HEARING AIDS.

Exempts from the general excise tax, gross receipts from the sale of hearing aids received by a hospital, infirmary, medical clinic, health care facility, pharmacy, or a practitioner licensed to administer drugs to an individual. Effective 1/30/2050. Implementation effective 1/1/2027. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts hearing aid sales from general excise tax, providing tax relief for medical devices, aligning with support indicators for tax relief.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts hearing aid sales from tax, reducing costs for patients and improving access to medical devices under healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Hospitals Prescription Drugs Primary Care

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 3274: RELATING TO COMMUNITY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CLINICS.

Establishes the Community Behavioral Health Clinic Certifying Office to certify community behavioral health clinics and provide technical assistance for clinics seeking certification. Establishes the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics Oversight Board. Establishes the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Special Fund. Amends the composition of the Advisory Commission on Drug Abuse and Controlled Substances and State Council on Mental Health to include a member from the Community Behavioral Health Clinic Certifying Office. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes certification office, oversight board, and special fund to support community behavioral health clinics and mental health services per bill summary.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Primary Care

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