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HCR 185

REQUESTING THE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT A SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL ASSESSMENT OF PROPOSED MANDATORY HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR NATIVE HAWAIIAN HEALING AND CULTURAL PRACTICES OFFERED THROUGH FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Terez Amato and 7 co-sponsors

Hawaii auditor must assess social and financial impacts of requiring federally qualified health centers to offer mandatory insurance coverage for Native Hawaiian healing practices.

Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 548).
#auditor #federallyqualifiedhealthcenters #impactassessmentreport #mandatoryhealthinsurancecoverage #nativehawaiianhealingandculturalpractices
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Bill Summary · HCR 185

Legislative bill overview

HCR 185 requests Hawaii's state auditor to conduct a comprehensive social and financial assessment of making Native Hawaiian healing and cultural practices mandatory coverage through federally qualified health centers (FQHCs). The resolution does not itself mandate coverage but rather directs an investigation into the feasibility, costs, and benefits of such a policy.

Why is this important

This resolution addresses healthcare equity and cultural sovereignty by examining whether traditional Native Hawaiian healing practices should receive insurance coverage parity with Western medicine. The findings could influence future legislation affecting healthcare access for Native Hawaiians and set precedent for other indigenous health practices in the state.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost implications: The financial burden of mandatory coverage is unknown; the auditor's assessment will be critical in determining whether expanded insurance obligations are economically sustainable for FQHCs and insurers
  • Scope and credentialing questions: Defining which practices qualify as legitimate "Native Hawaiian healing," who can practice them, and what clinical standards apply remains undefined and potentially contentious
  • Integration with Western medicine: Questions about how these practices would coordinate with conventional care, potential liability issues, and evidence-based medicine standards could create regulatory challenges

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

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