Healthcare

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 963: RELATING TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Requires the Department of Human Services to: (1) Prorate or exclude certain income from household members who are ineligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in determining SNAP household eligibility and benefit levels; (2) Establish a standardized medical expense deduction option for elderly or disabled household members who incur medical expenses above the federal minimum threshold; (3) Establish a pre-release SNAP application process for individuals who are incarcerated and scheduled for release; and submit annual reports to the Legislature. Specifies that the restriction under federal law prohibiting individuals convicted of certain drug-related felonies from receiving SNAP benefits and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits does not apply in Hawaii. Repeals treatment compliance requirements for TANF benefits. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes medical expense deduction for elderly/disabled, improving SNAP access for healthcare cost burdens85% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1282: RELATING TO HEALTH.

Establishes a schedule of late fees to be added to the original unpaid claim amount if a health insurer, mutual benefit society, or health maintenance organization fails to pay a provider within the required time.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes late fees for insurers delaying provider payments, ensuring timely reimbursement and supporting provider financial stability in healthcare delivery.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 969: 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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurers and Medicaid plans to cover biomarker testing, expanding patient access to diagnostic services under mandatory coverage requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1244: RELATING TO LABOR STANDARDS AT HEALTH CARE FACILITIES.

Establishes certain minimum registered nurse-to-patient staffing requirements for hospitals. No later than 9/1/2025, requires hospitals to create hospital registered nurse staffing committees. Beginning 7/1/2026, requires hospitals to implement registered nurse staffing plans. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes mandatory nurse staffing ratios and committees, funds implementation, directly strengthening hospital care quality and patient safety in healthcare delivery.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates minimum nurse-to-patient ratios and staffing plans to improve workplace safety for nurses, directly advancing labor standards in healthcare employment.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Hospitals Labor Standards

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 1788: PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII TO ESTABLISH ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE AS A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT.

Proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Hawaii to establish access to affordable health care as a fundamental right, subject to limitations balancing other essential public services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly establishes healthcare access as a constitutional fundamental right, advancing patient access and protections per its title and summary.95% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 3243: RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Establishes a Health Care for All Hawaii Board to design and recommend the Health Care for All Hawaii plan that is publicly funded and available to every resident of the State. Establishes values and principles for the board in developing its plan, designates the scope of the plan, requires the board to establish an advisory committee to provide consumer perspective input, and requires the board to submit the plan to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Repeals 6/30/2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes publicly funded healthcare plan for all residents with allocated funds, directly expanding coverage and creating a dedicated board to design universal access.95% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1125: RELATING TO THE GENERAL EXCISE TAX.

Authorizes general excise tax exemptions for residential care services provided by certain licensed health care facilities pursuant to a contract with the Adult Mental Health Division of the Department of Health. Effective 1/1/26.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes tax exemptions for state-contracted mental health services, providing tax relief to support essential public health programs under the Adult Mental Health Division.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides tax exemption for mental health residential care facilities under Adult Mental Health Division contract, directly reducing costs for services and supporting mental health care access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Mental Health

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 305: RELATING TO MEDICAL RECORDS.

Establishes fees that medical providers may charge for requests for a patient's medical records from the patient's family member, caregiver, or representative. Requires medical providers to respond to requests in a timely manner. Establishes penalties.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes reasonable fees and timely response for medical record requests, improving patient access and protecting rights related to healthcare information.90% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1333: RELATING TO ACUPUNCTURE.

HB 1333 recognizes acupuncture practitioners as essential healthcare providers who remain subject to existing regulatory oversight. The bill directly affects licensed acupuncturists and their patients by formally affirming their status within the healthcare system. Key provisions clarify that these providers operate under current licensing and practice regulations without creating new requirements. This recognition aims to align acupuncture with other established healthcare professions for administrative and policy purposes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRecognizes acupuncture practitioners as essential healthcare providers, aligning them with established professions to enhance system integration and patient access without new regulatory burdens.95% confidence

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 2558: RELATING TO TELEHEALTH.

HB 2558 expands telehealth access for state residents by allowing out-of-state medical providers to deliver certain clinical treatments via telehealth. It directly affects residents seeking remote care and out-of-state healthcare providers who can now legally offer these services within the state. The key provision removes current restrictions, enabling licensed providers from other states to conduct specific telehealth consultations and treatments for state residents. This policy change aims to increase healthcare access options without requiring providers to obtain additional state licenses for these services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands telehealth access by removing out-of-state provider restrictions, improving patient access to care in underserved areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Mental Health Telehealth

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