Healthcare

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2465: 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 HealthcareEstablishes healthcare access as a constitutional fundamental right, directly advancing patient access and rights per bill title and summary.95% confidence

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 20, 2026

SB 2088: RELATING TO HEALTH CARE PLANS FOR WORKERS.

Requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, in consultation with the Insurance Commissioner, to establish and implement a five-year voluntary Nontraditional Workforce Portable Health Care Benefit Plan Pilot Program that offers high deductible health plans or catastrophic health plans to nontraditional workers who are ineligible for health benefits provided by the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund or prepaid health care plans under the Prepaid Health Care Act. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates voluntary pilot program to provide high deductible/catastrophic health plans to nontraditional workers excluded from existing coverage, expanding access to health benefits.92% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentCreates voluntary portable health benefits pilot for nontraditional workers ineligible for existing plans, expanding access to health care benefits as part of employment standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Gig Economy Workers' Compensation

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 942: RELATING TO HEALTH.

HB 942 allocates state funds to the Department of Health to pay community-based health organizations for contracted health care services. It directly affects local clinics, nonprofits, and social service providers that deliver health care in communities. The key mechanism is directing state funding through the Department of Health to these organizations, rather than changing eligibility or service requirements. This is a funding bill focused on resource allocation, not altering health care policy or patient access rules.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates state funds to community health organizations via DOH for contracted services, increasing resource availability without altering eligibility or service requirements.95% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 562: RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.

Prohibits covered entities in the State from entering into contracts with drug manufacturers that limit the covered entities' use of contract pharmacies. Voids contract provisions for certain drugs if the provisions are based on the maximum allowable cost payment model. Authorizes the attorney general to bring a civil action for violations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects 340B program by blocking restrictions on contract pharmacies and MAC-based provisions, improving patient access to discounted drugs.90% confidence

Track

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 1323: RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Adopts the Uniform Health Care Decisions Act (2023), as modified, to replace existing chapters related to advance health care directives and advance mental health care directives. (CD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdopts Uniform Health Care Decisions Act to strengthen advance directives and mental health care rights, protecting patient autonomy in healthcare decisions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2512: RELATING TO MEDICAL FREEDOM.

Protects the right of individuals to make autonomous decisions regarding medical interventions without discrimination, coercion, or exclusion by public or private entities. Requires the Department of Health to amend its rules. Requires a report to the Legislature.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects patient autonomy in medical decisions and prevents discrimination by requiring DOH rule changes - directly aligns with patient rights protection in healthcare.90% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 64: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, requires each public school in the State, including charter schools, to employ, or retain under contract, at least 1 mental health professional for every 250 students enrolled, subject to certain conditions. Requires the Department of Education to submit a progress report to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2026. Appropriates moneys for the Department of Education to contract for mental health professionals and to establish an unspecified number of fulltime equivalent mental health professional positions within the Department of Education. Declares that the general fund expenditure ceiling is exceeded.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates state funds for mental health professionals in schools, directly increasing public education spending under General Fund appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires 1 mental health professional per 250 students with funding, strengthening school mental health services in K-12 education.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health professionals in schools with funding, directly expanding access to mental health services under healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending State Budget School Safety Student Health Teachers Healthcare Workforce Mental Health

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 561: RELATING TO PHARMACISTS.

Authorizes a registered pharmacist under contract with a covered entity for purposes of the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program to supervise via telehealth the filling or receipt of a prescription in certain circumstances.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes pharmacists to supervise prescriptions via telehealth under 340B program, expanding access for medically underserved patients.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs Telehealth

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 784: RELATING TO HEALTH.

HB 784 appropriates funds for an additional ambulance based in Makalei on the island of Hawaii, effective July 1, 2050. This bill directly affects emergency medical services on the island by expanding ambulance capacity in the Makalei area. The measure is a straightforward funding allocation with no additional policy changes or regulatory provisions. It was recommended for passage by the Health Committee with amendments in February 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds for emergency medical services, directly increasing public service funding under budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAppropriates funds for additional ambulance in Makalei, directly expanding emergency medical services capacity under Department of Health. Explicit funding allocation for healthcare infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 876: RELATING TO HEALTHCARE PRECEPTORS.

Adds psychology, physician assistant, marriage and family therapist, mental health counselor, clinical social worker, rehabilitation counselor, and school counselor students to the definition of "eligible student" under the qualifications for the healthcare preceptor tax credit. Amends the definition of "preceptor" by adding psychologists, physician assistants, marriage and family therapists, mental health counselors, clinical social workers, rehabilitation counselors, and school counselors to the list of preceptors eligible to receive the tax credit. Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands healthcare preceptor tax credit eligibility, providing tax relief to additional professionals. Directly impacts tax policy by broadening qualified beneficiaries.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands healthcare preceptor tax credit eligibility to include mental health and allied health students, supporting workforce development in key healthcare professions.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands healthcare preceptor tax credit eligibility to additional mental health and counseling professions, providing financial support for workforce development in these fields.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Mental Health

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