Healthcare (Medicaid)

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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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1179: RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Requires the Hawaii Health Authority to develop a comprehensive plan for the establishment of a universal, single payer health care system to replace all other health care coverage in the State, including Medicare, Medicaid, and the Prepaid Health Care Act. Establishes a universal, single payer health care system to be known as the Malama Care program under the Hawaii Health Authority to take effect one hundred eighty days after the approval of waivers from certain provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 and the State's Medicaid plan. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates universal single-payer system replacing all existing coverage (Medicare, Medicaid, etc.), expanding access and eliminating current fragmented systems per its explicit purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 298: RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES.

SB 298 would allocate additional state funds to the Department of Human Services to expand Medicaid in-home care services. This directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries requiring in-home support, such as elderly or disabled individuals, by increasing access to these services. The bill's key provision is a funding increase for existing in-home care programs under Medicaid, effective July 1, 3000. It is currently pending committee review in the Health and Human Services committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates additional state funds to expand Medicaid in-home care, increasing government spending on public services per appropriation subject.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates additional state funds to expand Medicaid in-home care services, directly increasing access to healthcare for elderly/disabled beneficiaries through enhanced funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medicaid

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passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 702: RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES.

Appropriates funds to increase the funding for Medicaid in-home services, conditioned on the Department of Human Services obtaining the maximum federal matching funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates state funds for Medicaid in-home services, directly increasing public service funding allocation per budget topic indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill increases Medicaid in-home services funding, expanding healthcare access and coverage through direct appropriations for human services programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Medicaid

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2682: RELATING TO FAMILY CAREGIVER SUPPORT.

Extends child care subsidies to disabled parents or guardians, regardless of their employment status. Requires the Department of Human Services to evaluate caregiver capacity and dependent-care responsibilities when determining eligibility for medicaid home- and community-based services. Requires the Department of Human Services to update its evaluation form and functional assessment protocols related to level of care and at-risk needs determinations. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for child care subsidies and Medicaid eligibility evaluations, directly increasing state budget allocations for essential services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends Medicaid home-based services eligibility via updated DHS assessments and appropriates funds, directly expanding access to long-term care services.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExtends child care subsidies to disabled parents regardless of employment status, removing a barrier to workforce participation and strengthening caregiver support for labor market access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medicaid Tags People with Disabilities

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 1971: 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 biomarker testing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurers and Medicaid to cover biomarker testing, expanding patient access to necessary medical services and strengthening coverage requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 783: RELATING TO HEALTH.

Requires Medicaid and private insurance coverage of ambulance services and community paramedicine services rendered statewide by emergency medical technicians or paramedics. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates Medicaid/private insurance coverage for ambulance/paramedicine services with funding, expanding access to emergency healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid

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