Healthcare

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1118: RELATING TO NON-MEDICAL EXEMPTIONS TO IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS.

HB 1118 prohibits new non-medical immunization exemptions (such as religious or philosophical exemptions) for school-aged children in Hawaii. It directly affects parents seeking exemptions for their children and school districts enforcing vaccination requirements. The bill's key provision bans the creation of any new non-medical exemptions, though existing exemptions remain valid. It will take effect on July 1, 3000 (a placeholder date likely indicating future implementation). This policy change aims to strengthen school immunization standards by limiting exemption options.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits non-medical exemptions to increase vaccination rates, strengthening public health immunization programs and preventing reduced coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 6, 2026

SB 2282: RELATING TO INSURER PRIOR AUTHORIZATION.

Establishes the Prior Authorization Committee to specify medical conditions for which prior authorization by the insurer for treatment is not required for health insurance coverage. Requires health plan insurers to align their prior authorization processes for other conditions with Medicare policies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareReduces prior authorization barriers for specific conditions and aligns insurer processes with Medicare, improving patient access to covered treatments without unnecessary delays.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicare

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2366: RELATING TO HEALTH.

HB 2366 prohibits health insurance plans from requiring patients to pay out-of-pocket costs (like copays or coinsurance) for specific diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations ordered by a doctor. This directly affects patients who need these exams for evaluation or follow-up, removing a financial barrier to accessing care. The bill targets cost-sharing requirements for exams deemed medically necessary, not routine screenings. It aims to ensure patients aren't financially hindered from receiving recommended diagnostic services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves financial barriers for medically necessary breast exams, improving patient access to essential healthcare services without restricting coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 17, 2026

SB 2746: RELATING TO TAXATION.

SB 2746 creates an income tax credit for individuals covering medical travel costs not paid by insurance, such as trips to specialists or treatments outside their local area. This directly affects people with significant out-of-pocket medical travel expenses who lack insurance coverage for those costs. The credit is set to expire on January 1, 2031, as it includes a sunset provision. The bill was introduced on January 23, 2026, and has advanced to committee referral.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates income tax credit for medical travel costs, providing tax relief to lower/middle-income individuals with out-of-pocket medical expenses.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates tax credit for uncovered medical travel costs, directly improving patient access to specialists/treatments outside local area and expanding coverage for out-of-pocket expenses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax Tax Credits Insurance

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 107: RELATING TO MEDICAL INFORMED CONSENT.

Requires the Hawaii Medical Board to establish standards for health care providers to ensure that a patient's consent to treatment is an informed consent. Requires that informed consent for a proposed medical or surgical treatment or a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure shall be obtained before the day of that treatment or procedure. Specifies that if the treatment or procedure is to occur on the same day it is scheduled, the informed consent shall be obtained at the time the decision is made to schedule that treatment or procedure.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires informed consent standards to protect patient rights and safety before medical procedures, strengthening patient-centered healthcare practices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 593: RELATING TO TREATMENT FOR MENTAL ILLNESS.

Establishes a pilot program in the Department of Health to provide intensive mobile treatment-type services, e.g., "street psychiatry", to chronically houseless adult individuals suffering from serious brain disorders like schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes mental health mobile treatment pilot with funding, directly expanding access to care for vulnerable populations with serious brain disorders.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 897: RELATING TO THE NURSE LICENSURE COMPACT.

Authorizes the Governor to enter the State into a multistate Nurse Licensure Compact that will allow a nurse who is licensed by a home state to practice under a multistate licensure privilege in each party state. Beginning 7/1/20 , requires each person who holds a multistate nurse license issued by another state and is employed by a health care facility to complete annual demographic data surveys. Authorizes the State Board of Nursing to charge different fees for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses who hold a multistate license issued by the State. Provides that the Nurse Licensure Compact shall become effective and binding in the State two years after the Act takes effect.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables cross-state nurse practice under compact, improving healthcare access and provider mobility without restrictions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 553: RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Beginning 1/1/2026, requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies, health maintenance organizations, and health plans under the State's Medicaid managed care program to provide coverage for biomarker testing. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurers and Medicaid plans to cover biomarker testing, expanding diagnostic access and strengthening coverage requirements under health insurance regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1203: RELATING TO COGNITIVE ASSESSMENTS.

Requires all health care providers who accept Medicare to provide a cognitive assessment as part of the Medicare Part B annual wellness visit for Medicare beneficiaries sixty-five years of age or older, with certain exceptions. Requires health care providers to submit certain information to the Executive Office on Aging and the Executive Office on Aging to report de-identified aggregated data to the Legislature on an annual basis. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates funds for cognitive assessment program and data reporting, directly funding a state healthcare initiative under fiscal management.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates cognitive assessments for Medicare beneficiaries, appropriates funds for implementation, and requires data reporting to improve dementia care access and program evaluation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicare

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 221: RELATING TO MEDICAL SCHOOL TUITION.

Requires graduates of the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine who have paid in-state tuition to serve as a physician in the State for at least 2 years following their medical residency or fellowship. Begins with the class of 2029.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires JABSOM graduates to serve as state physicians, ensuring local healthcare workforce and improving access to medical services.85% confidence

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