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SCR 50

ESTABLISHING THE HAWAII HEALTH PLAN WORKING GROUP TO DESIGN AND RECOMMEND A BASIC, AFFORDABLE HAWAII HEALTH PLAN AVAILABLE TO EVERY RESIDENT OF THE STATE.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Joy San Buenaventura

Establishes a temporary Hawaii Health Plan Working Group to design a basic, affordable Hawaii Health Plan and propose legislation for all Hawaii residents.

Resolution adopted in final form.
#hawaiihealthplan #hawaiihealthplanworkinggroup #healthinsurance #shpda
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Bill Summary · SCR 50

Summary of SCR 50 (2026) — Establishing the Hawaii Health Plan Working Group

Purpose and main intent

  • Establishes a Hawaii Health Plan Working Group to design and recommend a basic, affordable Hawaii Health Plan (HHP) that would be available to every resident of Hawaii.
  • Responds to anticipated gaps in health coverage due to changes at the federal level (notably expiration of enhanced Premium Tax Credit in 2025 and potential Medicaid work requirement changes), aiming to prevent tens of thousands of residents from becoming uninsured.
  • Builds on historical state efforts (e.g., State Health Insurance Program Act of 1989) that subsidized coverage for qualifying uninsured residents.

Key provisions and requirements

  • Formation: Creates a joint Senate-House working group to develop the Hawaii Health Plan design and legislation.
  • Membership and leadership:
    • Co-chairs: Chairs of the standing health committees in both chambers (or their designees).
    • Members include:
    • A representative from the Governor’s Office (appointed by the Governor)
    • Hawaii Insurance Commissioner (or designee)
    • Director of Labor and Industrial Relations (or designee)
    • Administrator of the State Health Planning and Development Agency (or designee)
    • Administrator of the Med-QUEST Division (Department of Human Services)
    • Leadership of major health organizations: Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA), Kaiser Permanente Hawaii (Market President Hawaii Region or designee)
    • Representatives from two health care associations: Healthcare Association of Hawaii and Hawaii Primary Care Association (invited by co-chairs)
  • Legislative guidance and alignment:
    • The group should consider and follow provisions of House Bill No. 1789 and Senate Bill No. 3243 (values, principles, scope of design, and general nature of the proposed system).
    • The Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB) will assist in drafting any proposed legislation, with a draft due to the Bureau by October 15, 2026.
  • Deliverables and timeline:
    • The working group must submit findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the 2027 Regular Session convening.
    • The working group is charged to cease operations on June 30, 2027.
  • Reporting and certification:
    • The resolution directs that certified copies be transmitted to key state officials and stakeholders, including the Governor, health committee chairs, Insurance Commissioner, Labor Director, SHPD Administrator, Med-QUEST Administrator, HMSA, Kaiser Hawaii, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, and Hawaii Primary Care Association.

Who would be affected

  • Residents of Hawaii would be the primary beneficiaries, with the potential provision of a basic, affordable Hawaii Health Plan.
  • State agencies and authorities involved in health financing and regulation (Med-QUEST, SHPD, Insurance Commission, Labor and Industrial Relations) would participate and coordinate.
  • Private sector health entities (HMSA, Kaiser Permanente Hawaii) and health associations (Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Hawaii Primary Care Association) would be involved as invited participants.
  • The Legislature would receive proposed legislation and a formal design report to guide any eventual enactment.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Concurrent Resolution (SCR 50) sets up a temporary working group with a defined lifecycle.
  • Draft legislation anticipated by October 15, 2026.
  • Final report and legislative recommendations due 20 days before the 2027 Regular Session (i.e., in early January 2027).
  • Working group sunsets on June 30, 2027, unless extended or superseded by subsequent action.

Notes for context

  • The resolution cites the federal shifts in health coverage incentives (enhanced Premium Tax Credits expiration) and potential state policy responses to prevent uninsured growth.
  • It references historical precedent (State Health Insurance Program Act, 1989) as a model for subsidizing coverage for uninsured residents.
  • This SCR is advisory in nature, creating a framework and work plan; it does not itself implement coverage but aims to design a plan and propose legislation.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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