Healthcare (Medicare) in Hawaii

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 10, 2026

GM 1323: Informing the Legislature that on July 9, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2271 SD1 HD2 CD1 (ACT 221).

This bill informs the Hawaii Legislature that Governor Josh Green signed Act 221 into law on July 9, 2026. The law expands hospital licensing options by allowing facilities to use accreditation from any Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services-approved organization, not just The Joint Commission. Under the new rules, hospitals that maintain full accreditation or certification can be exempt from routine state licensing inspections, though the department retains the right to investigate complaints or adverse findings. Additionally, reports and letters from these accrediting bodies will become public information.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicaid Medicare

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jun 9, 2026

GM 1205: Informing the Legislature that on June 8, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2272 SD1 HD2 CD1 (ACT 105).

This bill, signed into law by the Governor on June 8, 2026, allows licensed home health agencies in Hawaii to avoid routine state inspections if they hold current accreditation or certification from organizations approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. To qualify for this exemption, agencies must provide the Department of Health with official reports proving they maintain full accreditation and hold a valid state license. While routine inspections are waived, the Department of Health retains the authority to investigate any agency with complaints, negative accreditation findings, or during periodic validation surveys, and all survey reports from these external organizations will be made public.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare

in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 18, 2026

HCR 95: SUPPORTING THE REACTIVATION OF, AND URGING THE GOVERNOR TO APPOINT MEMBERS TO, THE HAWAII HEALTH AUTHORITY TO PLAN FOR A TRANSITION TO A MAXIMALLY COST-EFFECTIVE SINGLE-PAYER HEALTH CARE SYSTEM FOR THE STATE, TO BE IMPLEMENTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER WAIVERS HAVE BEEN OBTAINED TO CAPTURE ALL MAJOR SOURCES OF FEDERAL FUNDING FLOWING TO THE STATE THROUGH MEDICARE, MEDICAID, AND TRICARE.

This bill urges the Governor to reactivate the Hawaii Health Authority to develop a plan for transitioning Hawaii to a single-payer health care system. The resolution supports this initiative by highlighting potential cost savings from reduced administrative expenses and streamlined billing processes, which could lower overall state health care spending. It calls for the Health Authority to submit progress reports and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027. The plan aims to implement the system as soon as possible after obtaining federal waivers to maintain Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE funding.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare

in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 18, 2026

HR 87: SUPPORTING THE REACTIVATION OF, AND URGING THE GOVERNOR TO APPOINT MEMBERS TO, THE HAWAII HEALTH AUTHORITY TO PLAN FOR A TRANSITION TO A MAXIMALLY COST-EFFECTIVE SINGLE-PAYER HEALTH CARE SYSTEM FOR THE STATE, TO BE IMPLEMENTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER WAIVERS HAVE BEEN OBTAINED TO CAPTURE ALL MAJOR SOURCES OF FEDERAL FUNDING FLOWING TO THE STATE THROUGH MEDICARE, MEDICAID, AND TRICARE.

This House Resolution urges the Governor to reactivate the Hawaii Health Authority to develop a plan for transitioning Hawaii to a single-payer healthcare system. The bill directs the Authority to create a proposal for implementing this system as soon as possible after obtaining federal waivers to maintain Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE funding. It requests that the Authority submit a progress report with recommendations to the Legislature by late 2026. The resolution does not enact the healthcare system itself but serves as a formal recommendation to the executive branch.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SCR 186: SUPPORTING THE REACTIVATION OF, AND URGING THE GOVERNOR TO APPOINT MEMBERS TO, THE HAWAII HEALTH AUTHORITY TO PLAN FOR A TRANSITION TO A MAXIMALLY COST-EFFECTIVE SINGLE-PAYER HEALTH CARE SYSTEM FOR THE STATE, TO BE IMPLEMENTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER WAIVERS HAVE BEEN OBTAINED TO CAPTURE ALL MAJOR SOURCES OF FEDERAL FUNDING FLOWING TO THE STATE THROUGH MEDICARE, MEDICAID, AND TRICARE.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges the Governor to reactivate the Hawaii Health Authority to develop a plan for transitioning Hawaii to a single-payer healthcare system. The bill proposes that the Authority study how to implement such a system by capturing federal funding from Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE, with the goal of reducing administrative costs and improving healthcare access. It requests that the Authority submit a progress report and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027. This resolution does not change any laws or allocate funding but serves as a formal expression of support for planning a healthcare system overhaul.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SR 167: SUPPORTING THE REACTIVATION OF, AND URGING THE GOVERNOR TO APPOINT MEMBERS TO, THE HAWAII HEALTH AUTHORITY TO PLAN FOR A TRANSITION TO A MAXIMALLY COST-EFFECTIVE SINGLE-PAYER HEALTH CARE SYSTEM FOR THE STATE, TO BE IMPLEMENTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER WAIVERS HAVE BEEN OBTAINED TO CAPTURE ALL MAJOR SOURCES OF FEDERAL FUNDING FLOWING TO THE STATE THROUGH MEDICARE, MEDICAID, AND TRICARE.

This Senate resolution urges the Governor to reactivate the Hawaii Health Authority and appoint members to develop a plan for transitioning Hawaii to a single-payer healthcare system. The bill directly affects the state's healthcare infrastructure by directing the Health Authority to create a transition strategy that would consolidate federal funding from Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE under a unified system. Key provisions include requesting a progress report with recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027 and transmitting the resolution to state officials. The document frames the proposal as a response to projected federal Medicaid cuts and cites potential administrative cost savings as a rationale for the system change.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 832: RELATING TO INSURER PRIOR AUTHORIZATION.

SB 832 would require health insurance companies to align their prior authorization processes with Medicare's established standards. This affects both insurers (who must adjust their internal procedures) and patients (who need pre-approval for medical treatments). The key provision mandates insurers to follow Medicare's existing rules for approving services, rather than using their own separate requirements. The policy change aims to reduce delays in patients receiving necessary care by standardizing approval processes.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicare

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1490: 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 Hawaii 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 ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare

in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 1744: RELATING TO NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE.

Requires the Department of Human Services to amend the Hawaii Medicaid State Plan or request approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for an amendment under the Medicaid State Plan to include naturopathic medicine.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1138: RELATING TO INSURER PRIOR AUTHORIZATION.

SB 1138 requires health insurance companies to adjust their approval process for medical treatments to match Medicare's established standards. This directly affects health plan insurers by mandating they adopt Medicare's prior authorization rules, such as standardized review timelines and criteria. The key mechanism is aligning insurer procedures with Medicare’s existing framework, reducing inconsistencies in treatment approvals. This policy change aims to simplify access to care for patients covered by these insurers, though it does not alter Medicare itself.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicare

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