Healthcare

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1519: RELATING TO PRIOR AUTHORIZATION.

Establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework for prior authorization process in the State, including disclosure and notice requirements for utilization review entities regarding their prior authorization requirements and restrictions; qualifications and criteria for prior authorization review and appeals personnel; prior authorization process for non-urgent and urgent health care services, including the time frame by which utilization review entities must render a decision; adverse determination and appeal processes; prohibition of prior authorization for emergency health care services and medication for opioid use disorder; payments to health care providers; length and duration of prior authorizations; and exemptions for certain health care providers. Requires health insurers to utilize NCPDP SCRIPT Standard electronic prior authorization transactions by 1/1/2026. Requires utilization review entities to submit annual reports to the Insurance Commissioner each year. Requires the Insurance Commissioner to submit annual reports to the Legislature. Requires the Insurance Commissioner to adopt rules by 1/1/2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes transparency requirements, time frames for prior authorization decisions, and appeals processes to improve patient access and reduce barriers in healthcare coverage.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1490: RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Requires the Hawaii Health Authority to develop a comprehensive plan for the establishment of a universal, single payer health care system to replace all other health care coverage in the State, including Medicare, Medicaid, and the Prepaid Health Care Act. Establishes a universal, single payer health care system to be known as the Hawaii Care program under the Hawaii Health Authority to take effect one hundred eighty days after the approval of waivers from certain provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 and the State's Medicaid plan. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires universal single-payer system replacing all existing coverage (Medicare, Medicaid), expanding access and eliminating gaps. Directly advances universal healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare

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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

Sub-Topics Children's Health

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 1744: RELATING TO NATUROPATHIC MEDICINE.

Requires the Department of Human Services to amend the Hawaii Medicaid State Plan or request approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for an amendment under the Medicaid State Plan to include naturopathic medicine.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires Medicaid to cover naturopathic medicine, expanding healthcare access and coverage options under state plan.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 26, 2026

SB 2291: RELATING TO FAMILY CAREGIVER SUPPORT.

Extends child care subsidies to disabled parents or guardians, regardless of their employment status. Requires the Department of Human Services to evaluate caregiver capacity and dependent-care responsibilities when determining eligibility for medicaid home- and community-based services. Requires the Department of Human Services to update its evaluation form and functional assessment protocols related to level of care and at-risk needs determinations. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates funds for child care subsidies and Medicaid eligibility updates, directly advancing public service funding under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends Medicaid home care eligibility via caregiver assessments and appropriates funds, expanding access to healthcare services for disabled individuals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Tags People with Disabilities

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2487: RELATING TO PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.

Requires the Department of Human Services to establish a Medicaid buy-in program for workers with disabilities. Requires the Department to adopt rules.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates Medicaid buy-in program for workers with disabilities, expanding health coverage access per Medicaid program requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Tags People with Disabilities

Track

passed · Hawaii · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1913: RELATING TO VETERAN MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

Establishes within the Office of Veterans' Services a mental health coordinator position at Tripler Army Medical Center. Provides that the mental health coordinator is appointed by and reports directly to the Director of the Office of Veterans' Services. Appropriates moneys. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates mental health coordinator position at veterans home with funding, directly expanding mental health services access for veterans.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEstablishes mental health coordinator position and appropriates funds for veteran mental health services at state veterans home, directly advancing care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 26, 2026

SB 2167: RELATING TO THE HAWAII PATIENTS' BILL OF RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES ACT.

Revises the Hawaii Patients' Bill of Rights and Responsibilities Act by: (1) Establishing new provisions on telehealth parity, prior authorization timelines, and automated decision systems; (2) Enhancing medical data protection and privacy standards; (3) Expanding the insurance commissioner's enforcement authority; and (4) Improving network adequacy, internal and external appeals procedures, and reporting requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes telehealth parity, sets prior authorization timelines, enhances data privacy, and expands patient rights enforcement - directly advancing access and protections in healthcare.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyEnhances medical data privacy standards and regulates automated decision systems, directly aligning with data protection indicators in technology policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Telehealth Artificial Intelligence Data Privacy

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 325: RELATING TO MEDICAL CANNABIS.

Prohibits an employer from discriminating against a person in hiring, termination, or any term or condition of employment based on the person's status as a medical cannabis registry card holder, under certain conditions. Authorizes an employer to use a fit-for-duty test for medical cannabis qualifying patients in potentially dangerous occupations. Exempts certain occupations. Effective July 1, 3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects medical cannabis patients from employment discrimination, enabling access to healthcare without job loss, aligning with patient rights and access indicators.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits employment discrimination against medical cannabis patients in hiring/termination, directly protecting workers' rights under labor & employment standards.90% confidence

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 1562: RELATING TO YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH.

Establishes and appropriates funds for a one-year Digital Youth Mental Health Platform Pilot Project that will enable the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division of the Department of Health to develop and make publicly available a digital platform designed to help young people address and manage mental health challenges. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds a digital mental health platform for youth, directly advancing access to mental health services under healthcare policy.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyAppropriates funds for a digital platform pilot project to address youth mental health, directly advancing technology use in public services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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