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SB 2701

RELATING TO THE WEST HAWAII REGIONAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Dru Kanuha and 3 co-sponsors

SB 2701 establishes West Hawaii Regional Health Care System to enhance healthcare access and coordination in Hawaii's underserved western region.

The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in HHS were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, McKelvey, Kanuha, Keohokalole, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
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Bill Summary · SB 2701

Legislative bill overview

SB 2701 establishes or restructures the West Hawaii Regional Health Care System to improve healthcare delivery in Hawaii's western region. The bill received unanimous committee approval from the Health and Human Services committee in February 2026, indicating broad legislative support for the measure.

Why is this important

West Hawaii faces documented healthcare access challenges, including limited facilities and provider shortages in rural areas. A regional health care system could improve emergency response times, reduce patient travel burdens, and coordinate care delivery across multiple communities on the island of Hawaii.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding mechanisms – The bill's fiscal impact and whether it requires new state appropriations or redirects existing healthcare budgets remain unclear from available information
  • Governance structure – Questions about how the regional system will be governed, managed, and held accountable to the public and state officials
  • Integration with existing providers – Potential concerns from private hospitals, clinics, and physicians about how a regional system affects their operations and patient referrals

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

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