Healthcare

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 101: RELATING TO MEDICAL SCHOOL TUITION.

Requires graduates of the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine who have paid in-state tuition to serve as a physician in the State for at least 2 years following their medical residency or fellowship. Begins with the class of 2029. Effective 7/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires JABSOM graduates to serve in-state physicians, directly addressing healthcare workforce shortages to improve access to medical services.92% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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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 absent

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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 absent

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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 absent

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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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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1426: RELATING TO EMERGENCY AEROMEDICAL SERVICES.

Appropriates funds to the counties to increase access to emergency aeromedical services. Appropriates funds into and out of the Emergency Medical Services Special Fund to the Department of Health for the establishment and operating expenses for emergency aeromedical services. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAppropriates funds to increase access to emergency aeromedical services, directly funding critical healthcare access and expanding emergency medical services coverage.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1591: RELATING TO AVIAN INFLUENZA.

SB 1591 allocates state funds to Hawaii's Department of Health and Department of Agriculture to prevent, monitor, and respond to avian influenza outbreaks. The bill directly affects public health and agricultural sectors in Hawaii by providing resources for disease surveillance, rapid response efforts, and prevention measures. Key provisions include funding for testing, containment strategies, and coordination between health and agriculture agencies to protect both human and animal health. This represents a concrete policy change focused on strengthening Hawaii's preparedness for avian influenza threats.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates state funds to DOH for avian influenza surveillance/response, directly funding public health programs to protect human health through disease prevention and rapid response efforts.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1070: RELATING TO HEALTHCARE PRECEPTORS.

Expands the definitions of "preceptor" and "volunteer-based supervised clinical training rotation" to improve accessibility for providers to receive income tax credits for acting as preceptors, including removing "primary care" from the criteria to qualify as a preceptor. Adds dieticians, physician assistants, and social workers to the list of preceptors and eligible students. Expands eligibility for the tax credit to include accredited residency programs that require preceptor support. Adds the Director of Health and residency programs with eligible students to the Preceptor Credit Assurance Committee. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2025. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands tax credit eligibility for healthcare preceptors, providing tax relief to providers and increasing access to training programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands tax credits for healthcare preceptors including new professions, removing primary care restrictions to increase provider training accessibility.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 963: RELATING TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Requires the Department of Human Services to: (1) Prorate or exclude certain income from household members who are ineligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in determining SNAP household eligibility and benefit levels; (2) Establish a standardized medical expense deduction option for elderly or disabled household members who incur medical expenses above the federal minimum threshold; (3) Establish a pre-release SNAP application process for individuals who are incarcerated and scheduled for release; and submit annual reports to the Legislature. Specifies that the restriction under federal law prohibiting individuals convicted of certain drug-related felonies from receiving SNAP benefits and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits does not apply in Hawaii. Repeals treatment compliance requirements for TANF benefits. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes medical expense deduction for elderly/disabled, improving SNAP access for healthcare cost burdens85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1043: RELATING TO TAXATION.

SB 1043 reduces the general excise tax rate on nonprescription drugs by 50%. This change directly affects consumers who purchase nonprescription medications, lowering their out-of-pocket costs. The bill's key provision is halving the existing tax rate, effective July 1, 3000. It does not alter other tax rates or create new government programs. The bill passed a committee recommendation with four supportive votes in February 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReduces excise tax on nonprescription drugs, providing direct tax relief to consumers, aligning with support indicators for tax relief.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareReduces excise tax on nonprescription drugs, lowering consumer costs and improving access to essential healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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