Healthcare

signed · Hawaii · House Jul 7, 2026

HB 1961: RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Prohibits persons from interfering with another person's access to or from a health care facility or disrupting the normal functioning of a health care facility. Makes violations a petty misdemeanor. Establishes a private right of action. Authorizes the Attorney General to bring an action for injunctive or other equitable relief. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects healthcare facility access and operations via civil remedies, enabling legal action against disruptions that limit patient access.95% confidence

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 451: RELATING TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.

SB 451 would require the Department of Human Services to establish a Medicaid buy-in program, enabling working people with disabilities to maintain health coverage without losing Medicaid benefits when they earn income. This program would allow individuals to pay a portion of the cost to stay enrolled in Medicaid while working, rather than losing coverage as earnings increase. The bill is scheduled to take effect on December 31, 2050, but remains under review by the Health and Human Services committee. It directly affects working adults with disabilities who currently face coverage gaps when earning above Medicaid income limits.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareSB 451 creates a Medicaid buy-in program enabling working people with disabilities to maintain health coverage without losing benefits as income rises, directly expanding access to healthcare coverage for a vulnerable population.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnables workers with disabilities to maintain Medicaid coverage while earning income, removing a barrier to employment and protecting health benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Tags People with Disabilities

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 377: RELATING TO TAXATION.

SB 377 would remove the general excise tax from medical services provided by healthcare facilities and professionals. This change directly affects hospitals, clinics, doctors, and their patients by eliminating a tax on services like check-ups, treatments, and hospital care. The bill's key provision is a straightforward tax exemption, meaning healthcare providers would no longer collect or remit this tax on qualifying medical services. The policy aims to reduce costs associated with healthcare delivery without altering other tax structures.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRemoves general excise tax on medical services, providing tax relief to patients and providers, aligning with tax relief indicators for essential services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves tax on medical services, reducing costs for providers/patients and aligning with healthcare cost reduction goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives Hospitals

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 583: RELATING TO AUTISM.

Appropriates moneys to the Department of Human Services to increase funding for applied behavioral analysis services for Medicaid enrollees who have been diagnosed with autism. Requires the Department to obtain the maximum federal matching funds available for the expenditure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for autism services under Medicaid, increasing public service funding and utilizing federal matching funds.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAppropriates funds for Medicaid-covered autism ABA services, expanding healthcare access and funding for a specific treatment under public health programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending Medicaid

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 1702: RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Beginning 1/1/2027, requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies, health maintenance organizations, and health plans under the State's Medicaid managed care program to provide coverage for brief cognitive assessments for individuals fifty years of age and older.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurers to cover cognitive assessments for 50+ starting 2027, expanding access to preventive healthcare services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 1308: RELATING TO SPORTS WAGERING.

Allows for the regulation of sports wagering by the Department of Law Enforcement. Establishes licensing requirements for sports wagering operators and sports wagering suppliers. Establishes a general excise tax to be levied on sports wagering operator licenses. Establishes the Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Special Fund to be administered and expended by the Department of Health. Specifies that legal sports wagering and fantasy sports contests shall not be considered contests of chance or gambling. Authorizes DLE to perform criminal history record checks on applicants and licensees relating to sports wagering. (SD2)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes general excise tax on sports wagering operators and funds Problem Gambling Prevention Special Fund, directly advancing tax revenue allocation for public health programs.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Special Fund administered by DOH, directly funding healthcare services for gambling-related mental health treatment.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1040: RELATING TO THE HAWAII EMPLOYER-UNION HEALTH BENEFITS TRUST FUND BASE COMPOSITE MONTHLY CONTRIBUTION.

Effective 1/1/2026, increases the employer base composite monthly contribution to the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund by 5.2 percent of the 2025 employer base composite monthly contribution. Effective 1/1/2027, requires the calculation of employer base composite monthly contribution based on the change in Medicare Part B premiums from 2025 to 2026 and at two-year increments thereafter. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases employer contributions to health benefits trust fund, ensuring sustained funding for employer-provided health coverage and benefits.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases employer health benefits funding via higher contributions, directly expanding worker benefits under Labor & Employment policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare Collective Bargaining

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 1767: 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, improving access to overdose reversal treatments and expanding prescription drug coverage under healthcare plans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs Substance Abuse

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2428: RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Beginning 1/1/2027, requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies, health maintenance organizations, and health plans under the State's Medicaid managed care program to provide coverage for brief cognitive assessments for individuals fifty years of age and older.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates health insurers and Medicaid to cover cognitive assessments for 50+ individuals, expanding preventive care access and aligning with coverage expansion indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2585: RELATING TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Requires the Department of Health, in coordination with the Department of Budget and Finance and Office of Enterprise Technology Services, and Department of Human Services, to establish and maintain an online clearinghouse enhanced by artificial intelligence of evidence-based treatment and prevention programs. Requires DOH to support the integration of artificial intelligence in the online clearinghouse. Requires DOH to ensure that any artificial intelligence model used in support of the online clearinghouse is subject to regular audits. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires DOH to establish AI-enhanced clearinghouse for evidence-based health programs, improving access to treatment resources and supporting healthcare services.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates AI integration for an online clearinghouse, requiring departmental coordination to enhance service delivery through AI, directly advancing AI use in public services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse Artificial Intelligence

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