Healthcare

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1565: RELATING TO ACUPUNCTURE.

SB 1565 recognizes licensed acupuncture practitioners as essential healthcare providers subject to state regulation. This bill directly affects acupuncturists by formally classifying them within the healthcare system, requiring them to operate under established state oversight. The key provision establishes that acupuncture services are recognized as part of essential healthcare, meaning practitioners must meet state licensing and regulatory standards. This change ensures acupuncture falls under the same oversight as other regulated health professions, impacting how these providers are authorized and monitored.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClassifies acupuncture as essential healthcare under state regulation, strengthening its integration into the healthcare system.90% confidence

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SB 2277: RELATING TO HOSPITAL PRICE TRANSPARENCY.

Requires each hospital licensed in the State to provide an annual attestation to the State Health Planning and Development Agency that the hospital is in compliance with federal hospital price transparency requirements. Permits patients to file a counterclaim against debt collection actions filed by hospitals to determine if the hospital is in compliance with federal hospital price transparency requirements. Requires hospitals to provide patients with an easy-to-understand itemized bill statement before initiating a debt collection action against a patient. Effective 1/30/2050. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires hospital price transparency, protects patients with itemized bills and debt challenge process, aligns with healthcare access and consumer rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 2612: RELATING TO MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION IN SCHOOLS.

Clarifies that the Department of Education and its employees and agents shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability arising from assisting students with the administration of medication under certain circumstances.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationClarifies immunity for DOE staff administering school medication, enabling safer student care without legal barriers, thus supporting school health access and operational continuity.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides immunity for school staff administering medication, enabling consistent access to school health services without liability concerns, supporting student healthcare access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SB 2855: RELATING TO OPIOID ANTAGONISTS.

Beginning 1/1/2027, requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations that issue policies, contracts, plans, or agreements that provide prescription drug coverage to provide coverage for at least one generic opioid antagonist and device.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for opioid antagonists, expanding access to overdose reversal treatment and strengthening prescription drug coverage requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs Substance Abuse

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signed · Hawaii · House Jul 10, 2026

HB 1969: RELATING TO COLORECTAL CANCER.

Requires the Department of Human Services to develop and implement a state-funded financial assistance program to offer state-funded colorectal screenings and treatment for certain persons. Requires state-funded coverage for follow-up treatment for colorectal cancer for certain persons. Requires coverage to include a follow-up colonoscopy after a positive test result. Specifies that coverage is not subject to a deductible, copayment, coinsurance, or any other cost-sharing requirements. Appropriates funds and establishes one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) position. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates state funds for colorectal screening program, directly increasing government spending on public health services per budget topic description.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds state colorectal screenings and mandates ACA-aligned coverage, expanding preventive care access and strengthening public health program funding.95% confidence

passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 2159: RELATING TO HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

HB 2159 funds health care workforce development programs at the University of Hawaii. It appropriates state funds to establish new positions within the university focused on training and supporting health care workers. This bill directly affects the University of Hawaii's ability to expand its health care workforce initiatives. The key provision is the allocation of dedicated funding to create these new roles, aiming to strengthen Hawaii's health care workforce pipeline.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds health care workforce development at UH, creating training positions to strengthen Hawaii's healthcare pipeline through dedicated state appropriations.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds health care workforce training programs, strengthening Hawaii's employment pipeline and supporting worker development within health care sector.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Workforce Development

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1445: RELATING TO YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH.

Establishes a two-year digital youth mental health platform pilot project under which the child and adolescent mental health division of the department of health shall develop and make publicly available a digital platform providing tools and resources designed to help young people address and manage mental health challenges. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill appropriates funds for a digital youth mental health platform pilot, directly advancing mental health services under healthcare policy.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds and develops a digital platform for youth mental health services, directly advancing technology use in public health initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 7: AFFIRMING AND SUPPORTING THE REQUIREMENT THAT HOSPITALS PROVIDE LIFE-SAVING EMERGENCY CARE TO PREGNANT PEOPLE, INCLUDING REPRODUCTIVE AND ABORTION SERVICES, WHEN SUCH CARE IS MEDICALLY NECESSARY TO STABILIZE A PATIENT UNDER THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT AND ACTIVE LABOR ACT.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 7) affirms Hawaii's support for hospitals providing emergency medical care - including abortion services - when medically necessary to stabilize pregnant patients under federal law (EMTALA). It directly addresses hospitals in Hawaii, urging all facilities (including religiously affiliated ones) to uphold EMTALA’s requirement to deliver life-saving care for conditions like hemorrhage or ectopic pregnancy. The resolution responds to recent federal policy shifts causing confusion about EMTALA’s application, reinforcing that hospitals must not delay or deny such care. It does not create new legal requirements but formally aligns Hawaii’s healthcare system with existing federal standards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly mandates hospitals provide emergency care including abortion services under EMTALA, protecting patient access to life-saving treatment during medical emergencies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Women's Health

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 797: RELATING TO SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME.

Requires the Department of Human Services to automatically enroll, or authorize the Social Security Administration to automatically enroll, in the State's Medicaid program any individual in the State who receives federal Supplemental Security Income benefits. Requires reports to the Legislature.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAutomatically enrolls SSI recipients into Medicaid, expanding health coverage for vulnerable populations without requiring additional application steps.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 629: RELATING TO THERAPY SERVICES.

Expands the scopes of practice for occupational therapists, physical therapists, and speech pathologists employed by or contracted with the Department of Education to diagnose students with a medical condition in an educational setting and treat the students. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands therapy services in schools, enhancing student access to medical support within educational settings per Department of Education contract95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands therapists' authority to diagnose/treat students in schools, improving access to healthcare services within educational settings.95% confidence

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