Healthcare (Prescription Drugs)

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 26, 2026

SB 2208: RELATING TO PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS.

Requires the Department of Human Services to establish or select and contract with a third-party administrator to serve as the State Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) who shall be responsible for administering all pharmacy benefits for medicaid beneficiaries enrolled with medicaid managed care organization. Requires medicaid managed care organizations to contract with and utilize the State PBM. Establishes requirements to procure the State PBM in addition to the requirements under state law governing purchases of health and human services. Establishes requirements and prohibitions for the contract to be used by the DHS when contracting with the state PBM. Requires the DHS to establish a single-preferred drug list to be used by the State PBM. Requires the DHS to consult with the Med-QUEST Healthcare Advisory Committee on the development, implementation, and oversight of the State PBM program. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates state PBM for Medicaid pharmacy benefits, standardizing administration to improve coverage management without restricting access or funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Prescription Drugs

Track

passed · Hawaii · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 1996: 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 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill exempts hearing aid sales from general excise tax, providing tax relief for necessary medical devices, aligning with tax relief indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts hearing aid sales from tax, reducing costs and improving access to a healthcare service (hearing aids) for patients.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Hospitals Prescription Drugs Primary Care

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 18, 2026

SB 2933: RELATING TO HEALTH CARE COSTS.

Establishes the Prescription Drug Affordability Board within the Department of Health to conduct affordability reviews on high-cost prescription drugs and establish upper payment limits under certain circumstances. Establishes out-of-pocket maximums for prescribed insulin, asthma inhalers, and epinephrine auto-injectors. Prohibits copayment adjustment programs. Requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations to comply with certain affordability measures. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Requires adoption of rules by the Affordability Board and Insurance Commissioner. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes Prescription Drug Affordability Board, caps out-of-pocket costs for insulin/asthma/epinephrine, prohibits copayment adjustments - directly reduces patient financial burden on essential medications.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 2857: 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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes a special fund and fee for pharmacy workforce planning, appropriating state funds to support a specific program.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes fund for pharmacist workforce assessment, directly supporting healthcare workforce planning through appropriations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 2456: RELATING TO DRUGS FOR WEIGHT LOSS.

Requires the Department of Human Services to provide Medicaid prescription drug program recipients with coverage of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) drugs for weight loss. Appropriates funds. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates Medicaid/Medicare coverage for GLP-1 weight loss drugs and appropriates funds, expanding access to prescription coverage under public health programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Prescription Drugs

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2507: RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE.

Requires all health insurers in the State, including Medicaid managed care programs, to cover the cost of continuous glucose monitors and related supplies under certain conditions. Applies to insurance policies, contracts, plans, or agreements issued or renewed in the State after 12/31/2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurer coverage of diabetes monitoring equipment, expanding access to essential medical devices under Medicaid and private plans, directly advancing patient care access.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid Prescription Drugs

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1495: RELATING TO HEARING AIDS.

Exempts from the general excise tax, gross receipts received by a hospital, infirmary, medical clinic, health care facility, pharmacy, or a practitioner licensed to administer drugs to an individual, from the sale of hearing aids. Effective 12/31/2050. Sunsets 1/1/2027. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts hearing aid sales from general excise tax, providing tax relief for healthcare providers.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts hearing aids from tax, reducing patient costs and improving access to a medical device, aligning with healthcare access support.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Hospitals Prescription Drugs Primary Care

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 3195: RELATING TO DRUGS FOR WEIGHT LOSS.

Requires the Department of Human Services to provide Medicaid and Medicare part D prescription drug program recipients with coverage of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) drugs for weight loss. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates Medicaid/Medicare coverage for GLP-1 weight loss drugs, expanding access and appropriating funds for treatment under public health programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare Prescription Drugs

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 223: 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 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates Daniel K. Inouye College of Pharmacy Special Fund via appropriation and pharmacist fee, directly funding workforce planning within state budget framework.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a pharmacy workforce fund with appropriations for pharmacist assessment/planning. Pharmacists are medical professionals, directly supporting healthcare workforce development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SB 2855: RELATING TO OPIOID ANTAGONISTS.

Beginning 1/1/2027, requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations that issue policies, contracts, plans, or agreements that provide prescription drug coverage to provide coverage for at least one generic opioid antagonist and device.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for opioid antagonists, expanding access to overdose reversal treatment and strengthening prescription drug coverage requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs Substance Abuse

Track