Healthcare

passed · Hawaii · House Apr 1, 2026

HR 5: AFFIRMING AND SUPPORTING THE REQUIREMENT THAT HOSPITALS PROVIDE LIFE-SAVING EMERGENCY CARE TO PREGNANT PEOPLE, INCLUDING REPRODUCTIVE AND ABORTION SERVICES, WHEN SUCH CARE IS MEDICALLY NECESSARY TO STABILIZE A PATIENT UNDER THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT AND ACTIVE LABOR ACT.

This Hawaii House Resolution (HR 5) affirms that hospitals must provide life-saving emergency care - including abortion services when medically necessary - to stabilize pregnant patients under the federal EMTALA law. It directly supports Hawaii hospitals and emergency providers, reinforcing their existing practice of offering such care without delay. The resolution urges all hospitals in Hawaii, including religiously affiliated ones, to continue following EMTALA’s requirement to provide necessary emergency treatment regardless of patient circumstances. It does not create new law but clarifies Hawaii’s commitment to upholding federal emergency care standards, addressing confusion from recent shifts in federal guidance. The resolution aims to strengthen public confidence in emergency care access for pregnant people across the state.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates hospitals provide emergency reproductive care including abortion under EMTALA, protecting patient access and rights in medical emergencies per federal law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Women's Health

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1595: RELATING TO THE MEDICAL USE OF CANNABIS.

Repeals registration requirements relating to qualifying outofstate medical cannabis patients who are validly registered in other states, United States territories, or the District of Columbia. Repeals language requiring an initial inperson consultation before physicians and advanced practice registered nurses may make medical cannabis treatment recommendations via telehealth. Prohibits the Department of Health from imposing fees for patients' medical cannabis registration certificates.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves barriers (fees, in-person visits) for medical cannabis access, improving patient access to healthcare services under public health programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Telehealth

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1647: RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES.

SB 1647 allocates state funds to the Department of Human Services to directly pay primary care physicians for services provided to Med-QUEST recipients. This bill specifically affects low-income Hawaii residents enrolled in Med-QUEST (the state's Medicaid program) and the primary care doctors who treat them. The key mechanism is a funding stream that shifts payment responsibility from physicians to the state agency, ensuring doctors receive reimbursement for care delivered to these patients. The bill aims to streamline payments without changing eligibility or coverage for Med-QUEST beneficiaries.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates state funds to directly reimburse primary care physicians for Med-QUEST services, ensuring stable payments for low-income healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Primary Care

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1179: RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Requires the Hawaii Health Authority to develop a comprehensive plan for the establishment of a universal, single payer health care system to replace all other health care coverage in the State, including Medicare, Medicaid, and the Prepaid Health Care Act. Establishes a universal, single payer health care system to be known as the Malama Care program under the Hawaii Health Authority to take effect one hundred eighty days after the approval of waivers from certain provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 and the State's Medicaid plan. Appropriates funds.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates universal single-payer system replacing all existing coverage (Medicare, Medicaid, etc.), expanding access and eliminating current fragmented systems per its explicit purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Medicare

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1046: RELATING TO THE INTERSTATE MEDICAL LICENSURE COMPACT.

Authorizes the Hawaii Medical Board as the State of Principal License to investigate and request criminal history records of qualified physicians seeking licensing through the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact. Appropriates funds. Effective 07/01/2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates criminal history checks for physicians seeking licensure via Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, supporting patient safety and regulatory standards for medical professionals, a core healthcare topic.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 2, 2026

SB 298: RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES.

SB 298 would allocate additional state funds to the Department of Human Services to expand Medicaid in-home care services. This directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries requiring in-home support, such as elderly or disabled individuals, by increasing access to these services. The bill's key provision is a funding increase for existing in-home care programs under Medicaid, effective July 1, 3000. It is currently pending committee review in the Health and Human Services committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates additional state funds to expand Medicaid in-home care, increasing government spending on public services per appropriation subject.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates additional state funds to expand Medicaid in-home care services, directly increasing access to healthcare for elderly/disabled beneficiaries through enhanced funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medicaid

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1243: RELATING TO FOREIGN MEDICAL GRADUATES.

Allows foreign medical school graduates applying for a license to practice medicine and surgery to substitute one year of required medical training or experience in a hospital with one year of fellowship training where the parent program or hospital is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows foreign medical grads to substitute training for fellowship, potentially increasing physician workforce access to healthcare services by easing licensing barriers.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medical Licensing

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passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 702: RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES.

Appropriates funds to increase the funding for Medicaid in-home services, conditioned on the Department of Human Services obtaining the maximum federal matching funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates state funds for Medicaid in-home services, directly increasing public service funding allocation per budget topic indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill increases Medicaid in-home services funding, expanding healthcare access and coverage through direct appropriations for human services programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Medicaid

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 710: RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Prohibits health insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations from arbitrarily denying coverage requests for gender affirming health care services when the requested service is known to be considered a standard of care and for which scientific evidence exists that supports the service. Increases transparency of insurance carrier medical necessity reviews and requirements when coverage is denied.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits insurers from arbitrarily denying gender-affirming care coverage when evidence-based, expanding access to essential healthcare services and protecting patient rights.95% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 51: RELATING TO EMERGENCY MEDICAL RESPONSE.

No later than January 1, 2026, requires the Department of Accounting and General Services to install and maintain automated external defibrillators in all state buildings, including all public schools. Requires DAGS to establish a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan and work with the counties to implement the plan into the counties' emergency service provider protocols. Requires DAGS to provide trainings on the use of automated external defibrillators and the performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation for state employees and security staff of certain state agencies. Makes appropriations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates AED installation/training in public buildings/schools to improve cardiac emergency response access, strengthening public health preparedness.95% confidence

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