Healthcare

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 27, 2026

HCR 137: URGING AN IMMEDIATE AND PERMANENT CEASEFIRE AND AN END TO HOSTILITIES IN IRAN.

This bill requests that health maintenance organizations in Hawaii follow the state's Clean Claims Statute to pay medical claims within 30 days, or 15 days for electronic submissions. It aims to address delays in reimbursement that can harm healthcare providers and patients, particularly in rural and underserved communities. The resolution calls for greater oversight and accountability by state agencies to ensure timely payments and prevent financial distress among medical practices. It does not create new laws but formally asks HMOs to comply with existing requirements and directs copies to relevant state officials.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures timely reimbursement for healthcare claims, protecting providers and patients from financial distress and improving healthcare access.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 27, 2026

HCR 186: URGING THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY TO EXTEND THE RENEWAL PERIOD FOR SECRETARIAL DESIGNEE HEALTH CARE AUTHORIZATIONS RELATED TO THE RED HILL WATER CONTAMINATION CRISIS AND TO IMPROVE HEALTH CARE ACCESS FOR AFFECTED INDIVIDUALS.

This bill urges the U.S. Department of Defense and Defense Health Agency to extend the renewal period for health care authorizations related to the Red Hill water contamination crisis and to improve health care access for affected individuals. It directly impacts military families, civilian residents, and Department of Defense personnel who experienced health issues from fuel contamination at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility on Oahu. The resolution requests a two-year renewal cycle for Secretarial Designee authorizations to ensure continuity of care, expands access to civilian medical providers under TRICARE, and calls for coordinated referral practices between military and civilian health facilities. Additionally, it asks for the establishment of reimbursement or voucher programs to help affected individuals cover out-of-pocket medical costs, particularly for those living in areas without nearby military treatment facilities.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill urges extension of healthcare authorization renewal periods and improved access for individuals affected by water contamination, directly supporting healthcare access and patient care.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill aims to improve healthcare access and extend renewal periods for affected individuals including veterans impacted by Red Hill water contamination crisis95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 23, 2026

HCR 118: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO STRENGTHEN MENSTRUAL HEALTH EDUCATION INITIATIVES AND TO ADOPT A COMPREHENSIVE MENSTRUAL CYCLE CURRICULUM.

This bill urges the Hawaii Department of Education to strengthen menstrual health education in public schools and adopt a comprehensive curriculum covering menstrual cycles. It directly affects students, educators, and school administrators by recommending specific educational standards and resources. The resolution outlines five key requirements including age-appropriate content from third through twelfth grade, culturally responsive teaching methods, and the inclusion of hygiene, stigma reduction, and health information. It also calls for libraries to stock age-appropriate books and for teachers to use anatomically correct diagrams when teaching hygiene. The bill emphasizes creating an inclusive, positive learning environment that addresses menstrual dignity through privacy, inclusivity, access, and education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly urges strengthening menstrual health education and adopting comprehensive curriculum, directly expanding educational content and student health education programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens menstrual health education in schools, promoting health awareness and reducing stigma, which supports public health initiatives and patient education.85% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Apr 22, 2026

SCR 109: URGING THE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER TO STUDY THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF EXPANDING THE USE OF MAIL-ORDER PHARMACY IN THE STATE.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges the Hawaii Insurance Commissioner to conduct a study on the potential benefits of expanding mail-order pharmacy services in the state. The bill directly affects state officials and healthcare stakeholders by requesting an examination of how mail-order pharmacies could improve medication access, reduce costs, and support patients in rural areas or with mobility challenges. The study must analyze specific areas including patient adherence, cost savings, access for vulnerable populations, safety of shipping systems, emergency preparedness, and patient choice options. The Insurance Commissioner is required to submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by twenty days before the start of the 2027 Regular Session.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill urges study on expanding mail-order pharmacy to improve medication access, reduce costs, and support patients in rural areas or with mobility challenges.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 21, 2026

HB 1574: RELATING TO THE HEALTHCARE EDUCATION LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM.

Formally codifies the Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program. Requires a participant in the Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program who receives a new award on or after July 1, 2027, to remain and work in the State for a certain number of years based on the amount of financial assistance received. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD2)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill incentivizes healthcare professionals to remain in-state via loan repayment tied to service duration, strengthening workforce retention and access to care.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 21, 2026

SB 2261: RELATING TO HEALTH.

Requires Huli Au Ola to conduct a study on physician and dentist recruitment and retention to be located on and serve the island of Molokai. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill appropriates funds for Huli Au Ola to study physician/dentist retention on Molokai, directly addressing healthcare workforce access to strengthen services.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SCR 140: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT MANOA TO ADOPT ENERGY SAVINGS PERFORMANCE CONTRACTING AS A PRIMARY STRATEGY TO ADDRESS DEFERRED MAINTENANCE AND INFRASTRUCTURE MODERNIZATION AND IMPROVE ENERGY EFFICIENCY STATEWIDE.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution in Hawaii asks the Department of Education to study how mental health-related absences affect student attendance and well-being. The study will examine how often students miss school due to mental or behavioral health concerns, review policies in other states that allow such absences, and evaluate whether recognizing these absences as excused could improve student outcomes. The Department of Education is requested to submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the end of 2026, which may include suggestions for policy or legislative changes. This measure does not change current laws but seeks to gather data to inform future decisions about student attendance policies.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill seeks to study mental health-related absences to improve student well-being and attendance, potentially expanding support for student health needs in education.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill requests study on mental health-related absences to potentially improve student outcomes and recognize mental health needs, indicating support for mental health services.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 709: RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH.

Requires the Director of Law Enforcement to adopt rules establishing training and certification standards and procedures for crisis intervention officers. Requires the Department of Health to approve the content of such training. Clarifies the scope of treatment permitted under assisted community treatment orders. Requires the Department of the Attorney General to assist with the preparation, filing, and presentation of requests for a court order to provide treatment over a patient's objection. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires DOH to track mental health crisis data and coordinate assisted treatment, strengthening mental health service infrastructure and patient access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 3133: RELATING TO PREVENTIVE MEDICINE.

Specifies that no person is subject to liability for providing clinical preventive services in accordance with Department of Health recommendations. Requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies, health maintenance organizations, and plans issued by the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund to provide coverage for clinical preventive services. Authorizes the Department of Health to make recommendations relating to clinical preventive services and issue standing orders for medications and immunizations. Clarifies that, for child health supervision services coverage, the prevailing medical standards include recommendations by the Department of Health. Prohibits denial of coverage and prior authorization for clinical preventive services based on medical necessity. Specifies that a registered pharmacist may order a vaccine in accordance with the recommendations from the Department of Health. Exempts this measure from an Auditor impact assessment report. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage without cost-sharing for preventive services, expanding access and strengthening public health initiatives through DOH recommendations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 2804: RELATING TO COMMERCE.

SB 2804 bars companies from acquiring or holding stocks or investments that reduce access to healthcare services or raise insurance premiums. It directly affects corporations and investment entities making such financial decisions. The key provision prohibits these specific stock holdings if they demonstrably harm healthcare affordability or availability. The bill aims to prevent corporate investment practices that negatively impact patients and insurance costs, without specifying enforcement details.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBars corporate investments harming healthcare access/affordability, directly advancing patient access and reducing insurance costs per bill's core provision.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

Track