Healthcare

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

Track

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

Track

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

Track

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

Track

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

Track

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

Track

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

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 817: 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 simplifies patient transfers, improving access to care without restricting services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medical Licensing

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 1706: RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH.

Expands the services eligible for Medicaid Prospective Payment System reimbursement to include certain services furnished by a federally qualified health center or rural health clinic and provided by mental health professionals under the clinical supervision of a licensed mental health professional. Requires the Department of Human Services to adopt rules for this purpose and seek federal approvals as necessary. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid reimbursement for mental health services, increasing access to covered care under Medicaid for recipients.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medicaid Mental Health

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 26, 2026

SB 2204: RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Beginning 1/1/2027, repeals the fourteen years and under age limit for health insurance coverage requirements for the diagnosis and treatment of autism. Repeals the maximum coverage benefit limit of $25,000 for applied behavioral analysis services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill repeals age and benefit limits for autism coverage and ABA services, expanding health insurance access and improving patient access to mental health treatment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health

Track