Healthcare

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1275: RELATING TO HEALTH.

Establishes a schedule of late fees to be added to the original unpaid claim amount if a health insurer, mutual benefit society, or health maintenance organization fails to pay a provider within the required time.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates late fees for insurers delaying provider payments, ensuring timely compensation and protecting healthcare delivery system stability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 424: RELATING TO LABOR STANDARDS AT HEALTH CARE FACILITIES.

Establish certain minimum registered nurse-to-patient ratios for hospitals. Establishes a process to obtain a variance from the minimum registered nurse staffing standards. Requires hospitals to establish hospital registered nurse staffing committees by 9/1/2025 to develop and adopt registered nurse staffing plans. Requires the staffing committees to submit a charter to the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. Beginning 7/1/2026, requires hospitals to submit their registered nurse staffing plan on an annual basis, and implement the staffing plan. Establishes a complaint and appeals process and penalties. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes minimum nurse-to-patient ratios in hospitals to improve patient safety and care quality, directly advancing healthcare standards.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEstablishes mandatory nurse-to-patient ratios and staffing committees to improve workplace safety and staffing standards for healthcare workers, directly strengthening labor protections in healthcare settings.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Hospitals Labor Standards

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 713: RELATING TO MEDICAID.

Appropriates funds to the Department of Human Services to provide health insurance through Medicaid's Children's Health Insurance Program to income-qualified children and pregnant persons regardless of their immigration status.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill appropriates funds to expand Medicaid CHIP coverage to income-qualified children/pregnant persons regardless of immigration status, directly advancing healthcare access and funding.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProvides Medicaid coverage to children/pregnant persons regardless of immigration status, expanding access to immigrant services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Insurance Medicaid DACA & Dreamers

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 8: URGING THE COUNTIES TO ACT ON ANY BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATION FOR MODIFICATION OF A RESIDENCE THAT IS PRESCRIBED BY A LICENSED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER AND FOUND BY THE COUNTY TO BE ESSENTIAL TO THE SAFETY OR HEALTH OF AN OLDER ADULT OR PERSON WITH A DISABILITY WITHIN FORTY-FIVE DAYS OF RECEIPT OF A COMPLETE APPLICATION.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 8) urges Hawaii counties to approve or deny building permit applications for home safety modifications within 45 days of receiving a complete application. It specifically targets modifications - like ramps, grab bars, or widened doorways - prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider and deemed essential for the safety or health of older adults (62+) or people with disabilities. The resolution does not create new law but encourages counties to act faster to reduce delays that contribute to fall-related injuries and hospitalizations, citing 2023 data showing over 200 preventable fall deaths among seniors.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareUrges expedited home modifications for health safety, improving access for older adults/disabled persons as prescribed by healthcare providers.90% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 829: RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Authorizes physicians to practice at organized ambulatory health care facilities even if the physician does not have hospital privileges at a licensed hospital in the same geographic location as the ambulatory facility. Provides that a written transfer agreement is not required to transfer a patient from an organized ambulatory health care facility to a licensed hospital.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves barriers for physicians to practice at ambulatory facilities and streamlines patient transfers, improving access to care without hospital privileges requirement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medical Licensing

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passed both · Hawaii · House May 1, 2026

HB 1546: RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE.

Establishes a 3-year Health Coverage Continuity Pilot Program within the Department of Human Services, in consultation with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, to assist individuals who have lost Medicaid health insurance coverage and lack access to other health insurance options. Authorizes the Department of Human Services to contract with a nonprofit health insurer or community-based organization to operate the Pilot Program under certain circumstances. Authorizes the Department of Human Services to issue premium subsidies in certain circumstances. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates moneys. Sunsets 6/30/2029. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates Health Coverage Continuity Pilot Program to maintain Medicaid access for vulnerable populations, expanding coverage continuity and access per bill's explicit purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid

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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

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 34: RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH.

Requires the Department of Education to identify an absence due to the mental health of a student as an excused absence. Defines the term "excused absence". Exempts an absence due to the mental health of a student from the enforcement of penalties relating to compulsory attendance at school. Limits the number of excused absences that may be taken by a student due to mental health reasons.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExempts mental health absences from attendance penalties, supporting student access to education by removing barriers to attendance without punitive measures.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allows mental health absences without penalty, supporting student access to care by removing attendance barriers related to mental health.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Mental Health

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 21, 2026

SB 2261: RELATING TO HEALTH.

Requires Huli Au Ola to conduct a study on physician and dentist recruitment and retention to be located on and serve the island of Molokai. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill appropriates funds for Huli Au Ola to study physician/dentist retention on Molokai, directly addressing healthcare workforce access to strengthen services.85% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 1787: RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Establishes restrictions on the use of artificial intelligence, algorithms, or other software tools for purposes of decision-making in health insurance utilization reviews. Requires a licensed health care provider to review all adverse actions by the health carrier.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRestricts AI in insurance decisions and mandates provider review of adverse actions, protecting patient rights per Patient Bill of Rights subject.85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts AI/algorithms in health insurance utilization reviews, requiring provider review of adverse actions. Explicitly limits technology use in decision-making.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Telehealth Artificial Intelligence

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