Healthcare

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 6: AFFIRMING AND SUPPORTING THE REQUIREMENT THAT HOSPITALS PROVIDE LIFE-SAVING EMERGENCY CARE TO PREGNANT PEOPLE, INCLUDING REPRODUCTIVE AND ABORTION SERVICES, WHEN SUCH CARE IS MEDICALLY NECESSARY TO STABILIZE A PATIENT UNDER THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT AND ACTIVE LABOR ACT.

HCR 6 is a Hawaii legislative resolution affirming that hospitals must provide life-saving emergency care - including abortion services when medically necessary - to stabilize pregnant patients under the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA). It addresses confusion caused by recent shifts in federal guidance about EMTALA's requirements, particularly following the 2025 rescission of federal affirmations supporting emergency abortion care. The resolution urges all Hawaii hospitals, including religiously affiliated ones, to uphold EMTALA's standards without delay or denial of care. It does not create new law but reinforces Hawaii's commitment to ensuring pregnant patients receive timely emergency treatment as required by federal statute.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates hospitals provide emergency reproductive care under EMTALA, protecting patient access to life-saving services during medical emergencies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Women's Health

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 1965: RELATING TO PRIMARY CARE.

Establishes the Primary Care Providers Working Group within the State Health Planning and Development Agency to address issues relating to, and develop recommendations for the stabilization of, primary care services in Hawaii. Requires the Working Group to make a report to the Legislature. Sunsets the Working Group on 6/30/2027. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates 6-12% of medical spending for primary care, direct payments to providers, and rural access - expands coverage and improves access to primary care services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Primary Care

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 368: RELATING TO MEDICAL RECORDS.

Requires health care providers to provide patients with copies of billing records within ten working days of a request from the patient and provide written notice to patients if there is a credit on the patient's account. Clarifies that health care providers must respond to medical record requests from patients in a timely manner pursuant to federal regulations, with exceptions. Establishes penalties for violations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires timely patient access to billing records and credit notices, enhancing transparency and patient rights in healthcare services per federal standards.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1049: RELATING TO PARKINSON'S DISEASE RESEARCH.

Establishes the Parkinson's Disease Research Collection Database to be administered by the Department of Health, to house a collection of data on the incidence of Parkinson's disease in the State. Establishes the Parkinson's Disease Research Collection Database Advisory Committee. Requires the Department to create a Parkinson's disease research collection database webpage by 1/1/2026, and submit annual reports to the Legislature.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes Parkinson's research database and advisory committee under DOH to advance disease understanding and public health initiatives, directly supporting healthcare research efforts.85% confidence

Track

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 1279: RELATING TO PHARMACISTS.

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)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes pharmacists to supervise telehealth prescriptions under 340B, expanding access for medically underserved patients via telepharmacy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs Telehealth

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2608: RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Beginning 1/1/2027, requires all health insurers in the state, including Medicaid managed care programs, to cover annual mental health wellness examinations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurers and Medicaid to cover annual mental health wellness exams, expanding access to mental health services and aligning with support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid Mental Health

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1628: RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS.

Requires and appropriates funds for the Department of Health to establish a homeless triage and treatment center program to serve homeless individuals and individuals at risk of homelessness with substance abuse issues or mental illness.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for homeless treatment program, directly increasing state budget allocation for public health services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill appropriates funds for Department of Health to establish mental illness/substance abuse treatment centers, directly funding healthcare services for vulnerable populations.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly funds homeless treatment centers to address homelessness, directly advancing housing stability for vulnerable populations per topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse Homelessness

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 963: RELATING TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Requires the Department of Human Services to: (1) Prorate or exclude certain income from household members who are ineligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in determining SNAP household eligibility and benefit levels; (2) Establish a standardized medical expense deduction option for elderly or disabled household members who incur medical expenses above the federal minimum threshold; (3) Establish a pre-release SNAP application process for individuals who are incarcerated and scheduled for release; and submit annual reports to the Legislature. Specifies that the restriction under federal law prohibiting individuals convicted of certain drug-related felonies from receiving SNAP benefits and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits does not apply in Hawaii. Repeals treatment compliance requirements for TANF benefits. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes medical expense deduction for elderly/disabled, improving SNAP access for healthcare cost burdens85% confidence

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1282: RELATING TO HEALTH.

Establishes a schedule of late fees to be added to the original unpaid claim amount if a health insurer, mutual benefit society, or health maintenance organization fails to pay a provider within the required time.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes late fees for insurers delaying provider payments, ensuring timely reimbursement and supporting provider financial stability in healthcare delivery.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 969: RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Beginning 1/1/2026, requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies, health maintenance organizations, and health plans under the State's Medicaid managed care program to provide coverage for biomarker testing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurers and Medicaid plans to cover biomarker testing, expanding patient access to diagnostic services under mandatory coverage requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

Track