Healthcare

passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 102: URGING THE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER TO STUDY THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF EXPANDING THE USE OF MAIL-ORDER PHARMACY IN THE STATE.

This Senate Resolution asks Hawaii's Insurance Commissioner to study how expanding mail-order pharmacy services could benefit residents. The study would examine impacts on medication adherence, cost savings, access for rural and disabled populations, and system reliability during emergencies. It does not change current laws but requests a report with findings and recommendations to be submitted to the Legislature by early 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill seeks to expand mail-order pharmacy access, improving medication adherence and access for rural/disabled populations, which strengthens healthcare services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HR 99: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO SUPPORT ACADEMIC FLEXIBILITY AND EQUITY FOR STUDENTS WITH CHRONIC AND AUTOIMMUNE ILLNESSES.

This House Resolution urges the Hawaii Department of Education to support academic flexibility and equity for students with chronic and autoimmune illnesses, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and type I diabetes. The resolution asks the department to encourage schools to provide flexible attendance and assignment deadlines during medically documented illness flare-ups, promote consistent implementation of existing accommodations like Section 504 plans, and coordinate with families to maintain learning continuity during extended medical absences. It specifically highlights the needs of students on neighbor islands who face additional barriers due to limited access to medical specialists and the need for off-island travel. The measure does not create new laws or funding but instead calls for the department to use its existing authority to guide schools in providing equitable educational support.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill promotes academic flexibility and equity for students with chronic illnesses, enhancing educational access and accommodations.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill promotes academic accommodations for students with chronic illnesses, supporting their healthcare needs through educational flexibility and protection of patient rights.75% confidence

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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

Sub-Topics Primary Care

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 63: REQUESTING THE DISABILITY AND COMMUNICATION ACCESS BOARD TO STUDY THE COMMUNICATION NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE DEAF, HARD OF HEARING, OR DEAF-BLIND IN HEALTH CARE SETTINGS AND MAKE NECESSARY REVISIONS TO THE GUIDANCE FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution asks Hawaii's Disability and Communication Access Board to study how deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind individuals communicate in healthcare settings and to develop updated guidelines for providers. The study will examine interpreter availability, patient preferences, special needs for hospitalized patients, and legal requirements for effective communication. Based on its findings, the Board will revise existing guidance and submit a report with recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027. This action aims to improve healthcare access for individuals with communication disabilities by ensuring providers understand their specific needs and legal obligations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill improves healthcare access for deaf and hard of hearing individuals by establishing guidelines for effective communication and interpreter availability in medical settings.90% confidence

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passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 57: REQUESTING THE DISABILITY AND COMMUNICATION ACCESS BOARD TO STUDY THE COMMUNICATION NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE DEAF, HARD OF HEARING, OR DEAF-BLIND IN HEALTH CARE SETTINGS AND MAKE NECESSARY REVISIONS TO THE GUIDANCE FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS.

This Senate Resolution asks Hawaii's Disability and Communication Access Board to study how healthcare providers can better communicate with deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind patients. The study will examine interpreter availability, patient preferences, special needs in hospital and nursing facility settings, and legal requirements for communication services. Based on its findings, the Board will update existing guidance for healthcare providers and submit a report with recommendations to the Legislature by late 2027. This resolution does not create new laws but directs a study to improve communication access for individuals with hearing or vision disabilities in medical settings.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates study and guidelines to improve healthcare communication access for deaf and hard of hearing individuals, enhancing patient rights and service quality.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Mar 5, 2026

GM 5: Letter dated March 2, 2026, transmitting proposed changes to the FY 27 Executive Supplemental Budget for the operating and capital improvement program budget requests for various departments.

This bill proposes amendments to Hawaii's 2027 supplemental budget for four state departments, adjusting funding levels and staffing plans to reflect updated operational needs. It adds money to support healthcare cost-sharing, land management and cleanup projects, airport security and workforce programs, and highway safety enforcement technology. The document also reallocates certain positions and funds between departments to better align resources with specific program goals, while withdrawing some previously requested amounts for speed enforcement systems.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases funding for essential state programs including healthcare, land management, airport security, and highway safety enforcement technology.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly adds funding for healthcare cost-sharing, indicating financial support for healthcare access and services.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill includes funding for highway safety enforcement technology and airport security, which supports transportation infrastructure and safety programs.75% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Airports Roads & Highways

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passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 49: 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 Resolution establishes a 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 Senate health committee, the Governor's office, the Insurance Commissioner, the State Health Planning and Development Agency, the Hawaii Medical Service Association, and Kaiser Permanente. The group is tasked with developing a report with recommendations and proposed legislation by October 2026, with the goal of submitting final findings to the Legislature by early 2027. The resolution references existing federal changes that may increase the number of uninsured residents and draws on Hawaii's previous State Health Insurance Program Act as a model for a similar state-level solution. The working group is authorized to cease operations on June 30, 2027, after completing its review and recommendations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes working group to design affordable health plan for every resident, expanding coverage and improving access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 25, 2026

HCR 23: REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO ASSESS THE SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL EFFECTS OF MANDATORY HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR PROSTHETIC DEVICES AND ORTHOTIC DEVICES.

This bill requests the state auditor to evaluate the social and financial impacts of mandating health insurance coverage for prosthetic and orthotic devices, as proposed in House Bill 1536. The assessment will focus on how requiring insurance to cover these devices would affect Hawaii residents with limb loss, limb differences, or mobility impairments, particularly regarding access to activity-specific prostheses. The auditor must analyze costs, benefits, and potential changes to health outcomes, including secondary conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and consider federal Affordable Care Act requirements. The final report will be submitted to the legislature before the 2027 session to inform future policy decisions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill seeks to evaluate and potentially expand health insurance coverage for prosthetic and orthotic devices, improving access for residents with mobility impairments.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 9, 2026

HR 32: REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR'S SENIOR ADVISOR FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM TO FORMULATE A PLAN TO INCREASE ACCESS TO THE HAWAII STATE HOSPITAL FOR CERTAIN MENTALLY ILL- CRIMINAL DEFENDANTS.

This House Resolution asks the Governor's Senior Advisor for Mental Health and the Justice System to create a plan for increasing access to the Hawaii State Hospital for mentally ill criminal defendants and individuals recently released from the facility. The request is based on concerns that the hospital is currently at full capacity, with most patients being evaluated for fitness to stand trial, which limits available space for other needed placements. The resolution directs the Senior Advisor to develop a strategy for creating shelter placements for these populations and submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the end of 2026. This measure focuses on improving coordination among state agencies to address placement shortages rather than changing existing laws or funding levels.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill seeks to improve access to mental health services for criminal defendants, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through better treatment options.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill seeks to increase access to mental health services by expanding capacity at Hawaii State Hospital for criminal defendants, directly improving patient access to healthcare.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Mental Health

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 9, 2026

HR 97: REQUESTING THE HAWAII STATE CENTER FOR NURSING TO COMPILE A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF RECOMMENDED SAFE PATIENT STAFFING RATIOS FOR ALL NURSING SPECIALTIES AND SUBSPECIALITIES ACROSS ALL HEALTH CARE SETTINGS, AND TO MAINTAIN A REPOSITORY FOR THIS INFORMATION.

This House Resolution requests the Hawaii State Center for Nursing to compile a comprehensive list of recommended safe patient staffing ratios for all nursing specialties across healthcare settings and maintain a public repository of this information. The bill directs the center to make this repository available to the public no later than twenty days before the start of the 2027 legislative session. It also urges healthcare facilities to consider implementing these recommended staffing standards. The resolution is based on findings that safe staffing levels improve patient outcomes and support nurse retention, and it directs copies of the measure to state health officials and hospital executives.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill promotes safe patient staffing ratios through a study, aiming to improve healthcare quality and patient safety.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill promotes safe patient staffing ratios which directly protects healthcare workers' workplace safety and working conditions by preventing burnout and ensuring adequate staffing levels.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Hospitals

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