Healthcare

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 1139: RELATING TO MEDICAID.

Directs the Department of Human Services to adopt rules to expand Medicaid eligibility to all children in the State from birth to age 5 without regard to household income. Appropriates funds. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid eligibility for children 0-5 without income limits, appropriates funds to increase health coverage access.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 787: RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Health to establish and operate a free statewide mental health warm line to provide mental health support in non-emergency situations. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAppropriates funds to establish a free statewide mental health warm line, directly expanding access to non-emergency mental health support through public funding.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 11, 2026

SB 2701: RELATING TO THE WEST HAWAII REGIONAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

SB 2701 appropriates state funds to plan, design, and build a new outpatient care center in North Kona, Hawaii. The bill directly affects residents in the West Hawaii region by providing resources for expanded local healthcare services. Key provisions include funding for site work, construction, and facility planning to support outpatient care needs. This is a funding measure, not a policy change, and does not alter existing healthcare laws or regulations. The bill passed committee recommendation on February 2, 2026, with all five committee members voting in favor.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill appropriates state funds for new outpatient care center construction in West Hawaii, directly expanding local healthcare services through infrastructure investment.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 389: RELATING TO THE GENERAL EXCISE TAX.

Expands the general excise tax exemption established by Act 47, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024, to include amounts received by optometrists, audiologists, and chiropractors, for healthcare-related goods or services purchased under the Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands general excise tax exemption for healthcare providers under Medicare/Medicaid, providing tax relief to covered professions per Act 47 (2024)92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands tax exemption for healthcare providers (optometrists, etc.) under Medicare/Medicaid, reducing costs and improving access to covered services.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands tax exemption for TRICARE-related healthcare services, directly improving veterans' access to care under their existing benefits.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 637: RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

SB 637 allocates state funds to support various nursing education programs within the University of Hawaii System. It directly affects the University of Hawaii System by providing dedicated financial resources for these specific nursing initiatives. The bill's key mechanism is the appropriation of state budget funds to cover program costs, though it does not specify exact program details. The funding becomes effective on July 31, 2050.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates state budget funds for nursing education programs, directly funding essential public services within UH System.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates state funds to nursing programs at UH System, directly funding higher education initiatives per bill's appropriation language.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates state funds to nursing education programs, directly supporting healthcare workforce development and training within the University of Hawaii System.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1564: RELATING TO MEDICAID.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Human Services to increase the funding of certain Medicaid home- and community-based services, including adult day programs and residential services offered in community care foster family homes and expanded adult residential care homes. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill appropriates funds to increase Medicaid home- and community-based services funding, directly expanding healthcare access and support for vulnerable populations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1444: RELATING TO THE GENERAL EXCISE TAX.

Authorizes general excise tax exemptions for residential care services provided by certain licensed health care facilities pursuant to a contract with the Adult Mental Health Division of the Department of Health. Effective 1/1/26. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes tax exemption for mental health care facilities, reducing their tax burden to support public service funding under state contracts.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides tax exemptions for mental health residential care services, reducing costs for facilities and improving access to mental health care under DOH contracts.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1243: RELATING TO FOREIGN MEDICAL GRADUATES.

Allows foreign medical school graduates applying for a license to practice medicine and surgery to substitute one year of required medical training or experience in a hospital with one year of fellowship training where the parent program or hospital is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows foreign medical grads to substitute training for fellowship, potentially increasing physician workforce access to healthcare services by easing licensing barriers.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1246: RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Directs the Department of Health to purchase and store a 1 year supply of mifepristone by working with 1 or more pharmacies in the State. Appropriates funds. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAppropriates funds to stockpile mifepristone for reproductive health care, directly advancing medication access under healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 451: RELATING TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.

SB 451 would require the Department of Human Services to establish a Medicaid buy-in program, enabling working people with disabilities to maintain health coverage without losing Medicaid benefits when they earn income. This program would allow individuals to pay a portion of the cost to stay enrolled in Medicaid while working, rather than losing coverage as earnings increase. The bill is scheduled to take effect on December 31, 2050, but remains under review by the Health and Human Services committee. It directly affects working adults with disabilities who currently face coverage gaps when earning above Medicaid income limits.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareSB 451 creates a Medicaid buy-in program enabling working people with disabilities to maintain health coverage without losing benefits as income rises, directly expanding access to healthcare coverage for a vulnerable population.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnables workers with disabilities to maintain Medicaid coverage while earning income, removing a barrier to employment and protecting health benefits.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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