Healthcare

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

Track

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

Track

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

Track

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

Track

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

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 194: RELATING TO GENERAL EXCISE TAX EXEMPTIONS.

SB 194 would remove general excise taxes on food, medical services, and feminine hygiene products. This means consumers purchasing groceries, healthcare services, and items like tampons or pads would no longer pay this specific tax on those items. The bill directly affects residents buying these essential goods and services, shifting the tax burden away from these categories.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRemoves excise taxes on essential goods (food, medical, hygiene), providing tax relief for lower-income residents, aligning with support indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves tax on medical services, reducing costs for healthcare access and aligning with support indicators for improved patient affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Sales Tax

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 952: RELATING TO PARKINSON'S DISEASE RESEARCH.

Establishes the Parkinson's Disease Research Collection Database to be administered by the State Health Planning and Development Agency, to house a collection of data on the incidence of Parkinson's disease in the State. Establishes the Parkinson's Disease Research Collection Database Advisory Committee. Requires the Agency to create a Parkinson's disease research collection database webpage by 1/1/2026, and submit annual reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAppropriates funds to establish Parkinson's disease research database and annual reporting, advancing disease research and data collection for healthcare improvement.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 1154: RELATING TO HEALTH.

Requires the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine to construct, establish, and operate a disease and environmental toxins testing laboratory to test samples submitted by the public for diseases; water, air, and soil quality; and complex testing. Requires a report to the Legislature. Authorizes the Director of Finance to issue general obligation bonds. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds disease/environmental testing lab for public health monitoring, directly advancing public health infrastructure through appropriation and mandatory reporting.95% confidence

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1424: RELATING TO CREDENTIALING OF HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS.

Requires the Department of Health to establish a two-year Centralized Health Care Credentialing Pilot Program that reduces duplicative activities required for the credentialing of health care providers by hospitals, universities, clinics, health plans, and independent practice associations; and convene an advisory committee. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for a centralized credentialing pilot program, directly advancing state budget allocation for healthcare efficiency and reducing duplicative spending.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareReduces duplicative credentialing requirements across healthcare institutions, streamlining provider access and appropriating funds for a pilot program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1495: RELATING TO HEARING AIDS.

Exempts from the general excise tax, gross receipts received by a hospital, infirmary, medical clinic, health care facility, pharmacy, or a practitioner licensed to administer drugs to an individual, from the sale of hearing aids. Effective 12/31/2050. Sunsets 1/1/2027. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts hearing aid sales from general excise tax, providing tax relief for healthcare providers.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts hearing aids from tax, reducing patient costs and improving access to a medical device, aligning with healthcare access support.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Hospitals Prescription Drugs Primary Care

Track