Healthcare

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jul 16, 2026

SB 847: RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGISTS.

Establishes a three-year pilot program in the County of Kauai and County of Hawaii to allow qualified psychologists under the supervision of a supervising physician or psychiatrist limited authority to prescribe certain psychotropic medications to patients between the ages of 18 and 65 years under the care of the psychologist. Requires the Board of Psychology to adopt rules. Requires the State Health Planning and Development Agency to report to the Legislature. (CD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands mental health access by allowing psychologists to prescribe psychotropic medications, improving patient care options in mental health services.95% confidence

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

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 569: RELATING TO HEALTH.

SB 569 allocates state funds to operate an additional ambulance on the island of Hawaii, specifically based in Makalei. This bill directly affects residents of the island of Hawaii who rely on emergency medical services in that area. The key provision is a specific funding appropriation for ambulance operations, not a change in health policy or regulations. It is a straightforward funding measure to improve emergency response capacity in Makalei.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly allocates state funds ($ appropriation) for essential emergency ambulance services in Makalei, directly increasing budget allocation for public safety services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates state funds for emergency ambulance services, directly enhancing healthcare access and emergency response capacity in Makalei.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1204: RELATING TO MEDICAL CANNABIS.

Allows primary caregivers to be responsible for the care of more than one qualifying patient for medical cannabis at any given time. Repeals 6/30/2030.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows primary caregivers to serve more patients, improving access to medical cannabis as a healthcare service per bill's focus on patient care access.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1497: RELATING TO RARE DISEASES.

SB 1497 establishes a Rare Disease Advisory Council within the state Department of Health to provide guidance on the needs of individuals with rare diseases. The council will advise the state on policy and resource allocation specifically for rare disease patients. This bill directly affects residents diagnosed with rare diseases and the health department responsible for addressing their care needs. The key mechanism is creating a formal advisory body to ensure patient perspectives inform state health decisions, without changing existing healthcare programs. The bill is currently pending introduction for the 2026 session.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates Rare Disease Advisory Council to guide policy/resource allocation for patients, directly improving care access and addressing unmet needs in healthcare services.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1430: 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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFacilitates licensing for foreign medical grads by allowing fellowship training substitution, potentially expanding physician workforce and improving healthcare access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medical Licensing

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 838: RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE.

Beginning 1/1/2026, requires all health insurers in the State, excluding Medicaid managed care programs, to cover the cost of continuous glucose monitors and related supplies under certain conditions. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurers to cover CGMs for diabetes, expanding patient access to essential medical devices and strengthening coverage requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1241: RELATING TO GENERAL EXCISE TAX EXEMPTION.

SB 1241 establishes a general excise tax exemption for specific medical services, including dental care, meaning providers of these services would no longer pay the standard excise tax on them. The bill directly affects medical providers who offer qualifying services like dental care by removing their tax obligation. Key provisions define which medical services qualify for the exemption, creating a clear policy change in tax treatment. This is a concrete policy adjustment focused solely on tax relief for covered healthcare services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax exemption for medical services, reducing provider tax burden and aligning with tax relief indicators for qualifying services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts dental and medical services from excise tax, reducing provider costs and improving access to care by lowering financial barriers for qualifying services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 943: RELATING TO HEALTH.

Requires the Department of Health to adopt by rules, a mandate that the primary caregiver caring for two or three clients in community care foster family homes to be a certified nurse aide or licensed nurse who has completed a state-approved training program and other training as required by the Department and holds a current certified nurse aid certificate or nursing license.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates certified nurse aides/licensed nurses for foster home caregivers, ensuring qualified personnel for health services and strengthening care standards in community care settings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1288: RELATING TO RARE DISEASES.

HB 1288 would create a Rare Disease Advisory Council within the state Department of Health. The council would provide direct input to the state on the needs of individuals living with rare diseases. Its key mechanism is to advise state health officials on policies and resources affecting rare disease patients. The bill, introduced in January 2025 but not yet enacted, focuses on establishing this advisory body to address gaps in care coordination and support.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates Rare Disease Advisory Council to advise on care coordination and resources for patients, directly strengthening healthcare policy input for underserved groups.95% confidence

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