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GM 1192

Informing the Legislature that on May 27, 2025, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB799 HD2 SD2 CD1 (ACT 092).

2025 Regular Session

Act 092 improves healthcare access in rural Hawaii by allowing ambulatory facilities to operate without hospital privileges, addressing provider shortages and enhancing services.

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Bill Summary · GM 1192

Summary of GM 1192: Proclamation of Act 092

Bill Information:
- Bill Number: GM 1192
- Title: Informing the Legislature that on May 27, 2025, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB799 HD2 SD2 CD1 (ACT 092).
- Status: Received
- Introduced: May 27, 2025
- Classification: Proclamation
- Subject: Act 092

Purpose and Intent

GM 1192 serves as a formal notification to the Hawaii State Legislature that the Governor has signed into law House Bill 799 (HB799), which is now designated as Act 092. The primary intent of Act 092 is to address the significant shortage of healthcare providers in Hawaii, particularly in rural areas and on the neighbor islands. This shortage has been exacerbated by recent events, including the 2023 wildfires on Maui, which have further strained the healthcare system.

Key Provisions

Act 092 introduces several important changes to the healthcare landscape in Hawaii:

  1. Organized Ambulatory Health Care Facilities:

    • Establishes provisions for organized ambulatory health care facilities in counties with populations of less than 500,000.
    • Physicians practicing at these facilities will not be required to have hospital privileges at a licensed hospital in the same geographical location.

  2. Evaluation Requirement:

    • The Department of Health is mandated to conduct an evaluation of the impacts of this new provision on local healthcare systems, surgical access, and financial stability.
    • The evaluation will assess access to healthcare, quality of care, and costs, with a report due to the legislature twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session in 2027.

  3. Effective Dates:

    • The Act will take effect on July 1, 2025, and will be repealed on June 30, 2028.

  4. Compliance:

    • All healthcare providers, healthcare systems, and health insurance providers must comply with data requests from the Department of Health related to the evaluation.

Impact

The enactment of Act 092 is expected to have several significant impacts:

  • Increased Access to Care: By allowing organized ambulatory health care facilities to operate without the requirement for hospital privileges, the Act aims to facilitate the establishment of more healthcare services in underserved areas, thereby improving access for residents.

  • Support for Rural and Neighbor Island Communities: The Act specifically targets the healthcare needs of rural areas and neighbor islands, where residents often face challenges in accessing necessary medical care.

  • Response to Recent Crises: The provisions also aim to address the healthcare provider shortages that have been worsened by recent natural disasters, particularly on Maui.

Conclusion

GM 1192 serves as an important legislative step in addressing healthcare access issues in Hawaii. By signing Act 092 into law, the Governor aims to enhance the healthcare infrastructure, particularly in rural and underserved areas, ensuring that residents have better access to essential medical services. The evaluation mandated by the Act will provide critical insights into its effectiveness and inform future legislative actions.

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

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