Healthcare

signed · Hawaii · House Jun 4, 2026

HB 2314: RELATING TO EMERGENCY MEDICAL SYSTEMS OF CARE.

HB 2314 modernizes Hawaii's emergency medical services (EMS) statutes to align with current best practices. It directly affects EMS providers, ambulance services, and emergency care systems across the state by updating outdated regulations. The bill focuses on revising statutory requirements for training, equipment, and protocols to reflect contemporary medical standards. This update aims to improve the efficiency and quality of emergency care delivery without specifying new funding or penalties.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareModernizes EMS statutes to improve care quality/efficiency via updated training, equipment, and protocols, directly strengthening emergency healthcare delivery systems.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Hawaii · House May 27, 2026

HB 2319: RELATING TO THE STATE HEALTH PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY.

Amends the functions and responsibilities of the State Health Planning and Development Agency. Adds a new definition of "health care" for the purposes of health planning and resource development and health care cost control. Increase the certificate of need exemption threshold for bed changes to up to thirty per cent of existing licensed beds. Exempts health care facilities or services operated by the Department of Health from certificate of need requirements. (CD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts DOH from certificate of need requirements and increases bed change thresholds, reducing regulatory barriers to healthcare expansion and access.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Hawaii · House May 27, 2026

HB 2505: RELATING TO ASSISTED COMMUNITY TREATMENT.

Clarifies that community mental health outpatient programs that have agreed to provide mental health services to a defendant as part of an assisted community treatment order may prepare a certificate for assisted community treatment and provide the certificate to a defendant and may file an assisted community treatment petition with the Family Court. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes timely assisted community treatment for defendants, diverting them from incarceration to mental health care, reducing recidivism and aligning with criminal justice reform principles.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires streamlined process for community mental health treatment, improving patient access to outpatient care and reducing involuntary hospitalization delays.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 59: REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR TO ESTABLISH PROCEDURES TO AUTHORIZE CERTAIN HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS TO ENGAGE IN THE PRACTICE OF THEIR RESPECTIVE PROFESSIONS IN THE STATE WITHOUT A HAWAII-ISSUED LICENSE DURING A STATE OF EMERGENCY.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Governor of Hawaii to create procedures allowing out-of-state health care professionals to practice temporarily during a state of emergency without holding a Hawaii license. The measure specifically targets physicians, nurses, pharmacists, mental health counselors, and other designated professionals who must hold valid licenses in their home jurisdictions and be affiliated with recognized emergency response organizations. Key provisions include permitting telehealth services without prior patient relationships, requiring professionals to register within 24 hours of deployment, and limiting authorization to 60 days or until the emergency ends. The resolution also establishes an online registry for tracking participating professionals and includes liability protections for the state while maintaining malpractice standards for the practitioners.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands access to healthcare services during emergencies by allowing out-of-state professionals to practice without Hawaii licenses, improving patient care availability.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 182: REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO ENGAGE WITH THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND OTHER FEDERAL AND MILITARY PARTNERS TO EXPLORE ESTABLISHING A MILITARY-CIVILIAN TRAUMA PARTNERSHIP TO STRENGTHEN THE HAWAII TRAUMA SYSTEM.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution asks state officials to work with the U.S. Department of Defense and military partners to explore creating a partnership between military and civilian trauma systems in Hawaii. The bill specifically requests that the Governor and Department of Health evaluate opportunities for Tripier Army Medical Center to serve as a receiving trauma center for civilian patients, investigate funding options for uncompensated care, and consider legislative changes to allow reimbursement for civilian trauma services at military facilities. Additionally, the resolution seeks to develop tele-trauma consultation capabilities to help rural hospitals and improve overall trauma care access across the state. The Department of Health is required to submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the beginning of the 2027 session.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill seeks to strengthen Hawaii's trauma system by creating military-civilian partnerships and improving trauma care access through Tripler Army Medical Center.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill seeks to strengthen military-civilian trauma partnership and improve access to trauma care at Tripler Army Medical Center for veterans and civilians.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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signed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 50: ESTABLISHING THE HAWAII HEALTH PLAN WORKING GROUP TO DESIGN AND RECOMMEND A BASIC, AFFORDABLE HAWAII HEALTH PLAN AVAILABLE TO EVERY RESIDENT OF THE STATE.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution establishes the Hawaii Health Plan Working Group to design and recommend a basic, affordable health plan available to every resident of the state. The working group will include representatives from the legislature, governor's office, insurance commissioner, state health planning agency, Hawaii Medical Service Association, and Kaiser Permanente. The group is tasked with developing a plan to address potential increases in uninsured residents due to changes in federal health insurance subsidies and Medicaid work requirements, with a report due to the Legislature by late 2026. The working group will cease to exist on June 30, 2027, after submitting its final recommendations and any proposed legislation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes working group to design affordable health plan for every resident, expanding coverage and access.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 149: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO ASSESS THE SERVICES AND FUNDING NECESSARY TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF COMPLEX PATIENTS WHO HAVE TWO OR MORE DIAGNOSES THAT INCLUDE SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS, MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS, OR CHRONIC PHYSICAL ILLNESSES.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Health to create an informal working group to evaluate services and funding for patients with multiple diagnoses, including substance use disorders, mental health conditions, and chronic physical illnesses. The working group will examine how to better integrate care for these high-need individuals, potentially by establishing residential treatment facilities that combine medical, behavioral, and social support services. The group will consider specific service models, staffing needs, and funding options, with the goal of reducing fragmented care and improving health outcomes. The Department of Health is asked to submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the end of 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes working group to assess and improve services and funding for complex patients with multiple diagnoses, including mental health and substance use disorders, indicating support for healthcare access and integration.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 21: REQUESTING THE HAWAIʻI HEALTH SYSTEMS CORPORATION'S EAST HAWAIʻI REGIONAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM TO CONDUCT A FEASIBILITY STUDY ON ESTABLISHING A RURAL HEALTH CLINIC OR COMPARABLE RURAL HEALTH ACCESS POINT TO SERVE THE VOLCANO COMMUNITY.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 21) requests the Hawai'i Health Systems Corporation's East Hawai'i Regional Health Care System to study establishing a rural health clinic or similar access point in Volcano, Hawaii. The resolution directly affects Volcano residents and visitors, who currently lack nearby primary care, emergency stabilization, and consistent medical services due to geographic isolation and hazards. The study must examine potential sites, operational models (like part-time care or telehealth), staffing, costs, partnerships with local groups, and benefits for emergency response and chronic care. The East Hawai'i Region must submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by late 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill requests feasibility study for rural health clinic in Volcano to address lack of primary care/emergency services, directly improving healthcare access in underserved community95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 8: URGING THE COUNTIES TO ACT ON ANY BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATION FOR MODIFICATION OF A RESIDENCE THAT IS PRESCRIBED BY A LICENSED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER AND FOUND BY THE COUNTY TO BE ESSENTIAL TO THE SAFETY OR HEALTH OF AN OLDER ADULT OR PERSON WITH A DISABILITY WITHIN FORTY-FIVE DAYS OF RECEIPT OF A COMPLETE APPLICATION.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 8) urges Hawaii counties to approve or deny building permit applications for home safety modifications within 45 days of receiving a complete application. It specifically targets modifications - like ramps, grab bars, or widened doorways - prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider and deemed essential for the safety or health of older adults (62+) or people with disabilities. The resolution does not create new law but encourages counties to act faster to reduce delays that contribute to fall-related injuries and hospitalizations, citing 2023 data showing over 200 preventable fall deaths among seniors.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareUrges expedited home modifications for health safety, improving access for older adults/disabled persons as prescribed by healthcare providers.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · Hawaii · House May 8, 2026

HCR 173: URGING MAUI HEALTH SYSTEM TO COLLABORATE WITH STAKEHOLDERS TO ESTABLISH A FULL-TIME MEDICAL RESIDENCY PROGRAM ON THE ISLAND OF MAUI.

This bill urges Maui Health to work with state agencies, medical schools, and community health centers to create a full-time medical residency program on Maui. It highlights the island's severe shortage of physicians, which worsened after the 2023 wildfires and currently leaves many residents without access to primary care and specialized services. The resolution specifically asks Maui Health to use available federal funding from the Rural Health Transformation Program to help cover the costs of establishing the program. Additionally, the bill requires Maui Health to report its progress and recommendations to the Legislature within 20 days before the 2027 session begins.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill urges establishment of medical residency program to address physician shortage and improve healthcare access on Maui.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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