Healthcare

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 2868: RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Expands the protections established under Act 2, SLH 2023, to include gender-affirming health care services, including clarifying permitted disclosures of protected health information to address changes in federal regulations. Establishes protections against abusive litigation. Prohibits medical malpractice insurers and health carriers from taking certain adverse actions against health care providers solely on the basis that the health care provider provides lawful reproductive health care services or gender-affirming care services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands protections for gender-affirming and reproductive health care services, prohibits insurers from penalizing providers offering these services, and clarifies protected health information disclosures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 26, 2026

SB 2165: RELATING TO MEDICAL DEBT.

Prohibits a health care provider or medical creditor from filing a civil lawsuit to collect medical debt from a patient whose household income is less than or equal to five hundred percent of the Federal Poverty Level. Prohibits a health care provider or medical creditor from engaging in certain debt collection practices. Prohibits a health care provider or medical creditor from selling medical debt. Prohibits a health care provider whose income exceeds a certain threshold from denying non-emergency medically necessary care to patients.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits medical debt lawsuits and collection practices for low-income patients, protecting access to healthcare and reducing financial barriers for vulnerable populations.92% confidence

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 2431: RELATING TO HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS.

For taxable years beginning 1/1/2026, establishes a tiered nonrefundable tax credit for qualified taxpayer insurers that offer one or more federally qualified health savings account-eligible high deductible health plans in the State, under certain conditions, and increasing the tax credit to incentivize more plans being written for residents in rural medically underserved areas of the State. Requires qualified taxpayer insurers to match up to a certain amount of a policyholder's first-time contribution into a health savings account. Sunsets 12/31/2030. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes a tax credit for insurers offering HSA-eligible plans, incentivizing coverage in underserved areas through targeted tax relief, advancing fiscal policy to support health access.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates tax credit for insurers offering HSA-eligible plans, especially in rural underserved areas, to expand access to high deductible health coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Insurance

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 3199: RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH.

Establishes the Mental Health Emerging Therapies Task Force within the University of Hawaii at Manoa John A. Burns School of Medicine to prepare the State for the integration of breakthrough therapies, expansion of pathways for clinical trials and clinical research, and development of policy recommendations for safe, ethical, and culturally informed implementation of emerging therapies. Requires reports to the Legislature. Sunsets 6/30/2028. Effective 1/30/2050. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes Mental Health Emerging Therapies Task Force to integrate breakthrough therapies, expand clinical trials, and develop policy recommendations for safe implementation, advancing mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 3105: RELATING TO THE PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT LICENSURE COMPACT.

Beginning 1/1/2027, authorizes the Governor to enter the PA Licensure Compact to create a comprehensive process that complements the existing licensing authority of the Hawaii Medical Board and provides a streamlined process that allows a PA to become licensed in multiple states, thereby enhancing the portability of a PA license and ensuring the safety of patients. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStreamlines PA licensure across states, enhancing provider mobility and patient access to care without restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1509: RELATING TO PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

Requires the Legislative Reference Bureau to conduct a study on best practices for the regulation of pharmacy benefit managers and reduction in prescription drug costs for health insurance plan beneficiaries. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 12/31/2050. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates study to reduce prescription drug costs for beneficiaries, directly advancing patient access and affordability in healthcare coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Prescription Drugs

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 226: RELATING TO PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.

Establishes requirements for the clinical review criteria and clinical practical guidelines used to establish step therapy protocols. Provides a process for a patient to request an exception to using step therapy protocols. Establishes insurance coverage requirements relating to the use of step therapy protocols and standards to appeal an adverse step therapy exception determination.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes patient exception process for step therapy, improving access to prescription drugs by requiring insurer compliance with clinical guidelines and appeal standards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Prescription Drugs

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 389: RELATING TO THE GENERAL EXCISE TAX.

Expands the general excise tax exemption established by Act 47, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024, to include amounts received by optometrists, audiologists, and chiropractors, for healthcare-related goods or services purchased under the Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands general excise tax exemption for healthcare providers under Medicare/Medicaid, providing tax relief to covered professions per Act 47 (2024)92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands tax exemption for healthcare providers (optometrists, etc.) under Medicare/Medicaid, reducing costs and improving access to covered services.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands tax exemption for TRICARE-related healthcare services, directly improving veterans' access to care under their existing benefits.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives Medicaid Medicare

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 2051: RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Removes discriminatory requirements for mandatory insurance coverage of in vitro fertilization procedures to create parity of coverage for same-sex couples, unmarried individuals, transgender persons, and opposite-sex couples for whom male infertility is the relevant factor. Requires the insured or the insured's dependent spouse to have a history of infertility of at least six months' duration, rather than five years. Includes need for medical intervention to conceive due to physiological or anatomical factors.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves discriminatory insurance barriers for IVF, expands coverage parity for protected groups, and shortens infertility requirement to improve access to fertility treatments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1113: RELATING TO CHANGES TO RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CONCERNING PATIENTS, THE COUNTY OF KALAWAO, AND THE KALAUPAPA SETTLEMENT.

Establishes the Kalaupapa State Historical Area. Authorizes the Department of Health to continue providing services statewide to Hansen's disease patients living in the community. Repeals sections of chapter 326, Hawaii Revised Statutes, upon the one-year anniversary of the passing of the last patient resident of Kalaupapa as affirmed in the Governor's proclamation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes DOH to continue statewide services for Hansen's disease patients, maintaining healthcare access and protecting patient rights in Kalaupapa settlement per bill's explicit language.92% confidence

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