Healthcare

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 562: RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.

Prohibits covered entities in the State from entering into contracts with drug manufacturers that limit the covered entities' use of contract pharmacies. Voids contract provisions for certain drugs if the provisions are based on the maximum allowable cost payment model. Authorizes the attorney general to bring a civil action for violations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects 340B program by blocking restrictions on contract pharmacies and MAC-based provisions, improving patient access to discounted drugs.90% confidence

Track

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 1323: RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Adopts the Uniform Health Care Decisions Act (2023), as modified, to replace existing chapters related to advance health care directives and advance mental health care directives. (CD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdopts Uniform Health Care Decisions Act to strengthen advance directives and mental health care rights, protecting patient autonomy in healthcare decisions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2512: RELATING TO MEDICAL FREEDOM.

Protects the right of individuals to make autonomous decisions regarding medical interventions without discrimination, coercion, or exclusion by public or private entities. Requires the Department of Health to amend its rules. Requires a report to the Legislature.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects patient autonomy in medical decisions and prevents discrimination by requiring DOH rule changes - directly aligns with patient rights protection in healthcare.90% confidence

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 64: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, requires each public school in the State, including charter schools, to employ, or retain under contract, at least 1 mental health professional for every 250 students enrolled, subject to certain conditions. Requires the Department of Education to submit a progress report to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2026. Appropriates moneys for the Department of Education to contract for mental health professionals and to establish an unspecified number of fulltime equivalent mental health professional positions within the Department of Education. Declares that the general fund expenditure ceiling is exceeded.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates state funds for mental health professionals in schools, directly increasing public education spending under General Fund appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires 1 mental health professional per 250 students with funding, strengthening school mental health services in K-12 education.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health professionals in schools with funding, directly expanding access to mental health services under healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending State Budget School Safety Student Health Teachers Healthcare Workforce Mental Health

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 561: RELATING TO PHARMACISTS.

Authorizes a registered pharmacist under contract with a covered entity for purposes of the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program to supervise via telehealth the filling or receipt of a prescription in certain circumstances.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes pharmacists to supervise prescriptions via telehealth under 340B program, expanding access for medically underserved patients.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs Telehealth

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 784: RELATING TO HEALTH.

HB 784 appropriates funds for an additional ambulance based in Makalei on the island of Hawaii, effective July 1, 2050. This bill directly affects emergency medical services on the island by expanding ambulance capacity in the Makalei area. The measure is a straightforward funding allocation with no additional policy changes or regulatory provisions. It was recommended for passage by the Health Committee with amendments in February 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for emergency medical services, directly increasing public service funding under budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAppropriates funds for additional ambulance in Makalei, directly expanding emergency medical services capacity under Department of Health. Explicit funding allocation for healthcare infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 876: RELATING TO HEALTHCARE PRECEPTORS.

Adds psychology, physician assistant, marriage and family therapist, mental health counselor, clinical social worker, rehabilitation counselor, and school counselor students to the definition of "eligible student" under the qualifications for the healthcare preceptor tax credit. Amends the definition of "preceptor" by adding psychologists, physician assistants, marriage and family therapists, mental health counselors, clinical social workers, rehabilitation counselors, and school counselors to the list of preceptors eligible to receive the tax credit. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands healthcare preceptor tax credit eligibility, providing tax relief to additional professionals. Directly impacts tax policy by broadening qualified beneficiaries.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands healthcare preceptor tax credit eligibility to include mental health and allied health students, supporting workforce development in key healthcare professions.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands healthcare preceptor tax credit eligibility to additional mental health and counseling professions, providing financial support for workforce development in these fields.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Mental Health

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 1, 2026

HR 5: 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.

This Hawaii House Resolution (HR 5) affirms that hospitals must provide life-saving emergency care - including abortion services when medically necessary - to stabilize pregnant patients under the federal EMTALA law. It directly supports Hawaii hospitals and emergency providers, reinforcing their existing practice of offering such care without delay. The resolution urges all hospitals in Hawaii, including religiously affiliated ones, to continue following EMTALA’s requirement to provide necessary emergency treatment regardless of patient circumstances. It does not create new law but clarifies Hawaii’s commitment to upholding federal emergency care standards, addressing confusion from recent shifts in federal guidance. The resolution aims to strengthen public confidence in emergency care access for pregnant people across the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates hospitals provide emergency reproductive care including abortion under EMTALA, protecting patient access and rights in medical emergencies per federal law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Women's Health

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1595: RELATING TO THE MEDICAL USE OF CANNABIS.

Repeals registration requirements relating to qualifying outofstate medical cannabis patients who are validly registered in other states, United States territories, or the District of Columbia. Repeals language requiring an initial inperson consultation before physicians and advanced practice registered nurses may make medical cannabis treatment recommendations via telehealth. Prohibits the Department of Health from imposing fees for patients' medical cannabis registration certificates.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves barriers (fees, in-person visits) for medical cannabis access, improving patient access to healthcare services under public health programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Telehealth

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1647: RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES.

SB 1647 allocates state funds to the Department of Human Services to directly pay primary care physicians for services provided to Med-QUEST recipients. This bill specifically affects low-income Hawaii residents enrolled in Med-QUEST (the state's Medicaid program) and the primary care doctors who treat them. The key mechanism is a funding stream that shifts payment responsibility from physicians to the state agency, ensuring doctors receive reimbursement for care delivered to these patients. The bill aims to streamline payments without changing eligibility or coverage for Med-QUEST beneficiaries.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates state funds to directly reimburse primary care physicians for Med-QUEST services, ensuring stable payments for low-income healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Primary Care

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