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HCR 152

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO ESTABLISH AND CONVENE A PHARMACY REIMBURSEMENT WORKING GROUP TO EXPLORE AND PROPOSE LEGISLATION FOR THE 2026 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Gregg Takayama

Directs DCCA to form a Pharmacy Reimbursement Working Group to study and propose legislation for 2026 mandating insurer coverage and reimbursement for pharmacist-provided services.

Referred to HLT, CPC, referral sheet 22
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Bill Summary · HCR 152

Summary — HCR 152 (2025)

Title: Requesting the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to establish and convene a Pharmacy Reimbursement Working Group to explore and propose legislation for the 2026 Legislative Session

Purpose and intent

HCR 152 directs the Director of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) to establish a Pharmacy Reimbursement Working Group to study mandatory health‑insurance coverage and payment for health care services provided by licensed pharmacists acting within their scope under chapter 461, Hawaii Revised Statutes. The Working Group is to develop and submit proposed legislation for the Regular Session of 2026 that would require insurers to cover and fairly reimburse pharmacist‑provided clinical services.

Key provisions

  • Requests DCCA to create and convene a Pharmacy Reimbursement Working Group.
  • Invites the following participants (at minimum):
    • Insurance Commissioner
    • 1 representative of the Board of Pharmacy
    • 2 representatives from the retail pharmacy community
    • 1 representative from an independent pharmacists’ association
    • 2 representatives from the health insurance industry
  • Tasks for the Working Group:
    1. Meet regularly to gather information on pharmacy reimbursement practices and develop options for requiring reimbursement for pharmacist‑provided services.
    2. Assess impacts of mandatory reimbursement on patient access, potential hardships from lack of reimbursement, and effects on pharmacists/pharmacies and insurers.
    3. Draft proposed legislation requiring state health insurers to provide coverage and fair reimbursement for pharmacist services within their licensed scope.
    4. Review pharmacist scope and reimbursement models in other jurisdictions and evaluate implications for preventative care in Hawaii.
  • Reporting requirement: submit a written report with findings and any proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the convening of the 2026 Regular Session.
  • Administrative copies to be transmitted to DCCA, the Insurance Commissioner, and the Board of Pharmacy executive officer.

Who is affected

  • Pharmacies and licensed pharmacists (retail and independent) — potential new reimbursement streams for clinical services (e.g., immunizations, medication therapy management, chronic disease management).
  • Health insurers operating in Hawaii — potential requirement to cover and reimburse pharmacist‑delivered services.
  • Patients, especially in rural and neighbor‑island communities — potential improved access to care and preventive services.
  • State agencies and boards (DCCA, Board of Pharmacy, Insurance Division) — participation and implementation involvement.

Procedural status and timeline

  • Introduced/Offered: March 7, 2025 (filed May 16, 2025).
  • Referred to HLT (Health) and CPC (Consumer Protection & Commerce).
  • Adopted by both chambers (May 23–26, 2025); enrolled and transmitted to the Governor (May 28, 2025). Legislative record shows signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025.
  • Working Group must deliver its report (including draft legislation) at least 20 days before the 2026 Regular Session convenes so legislation can be considered in 2026.

Legal effect and context

HCR 152 is a concurrent resolution requesting action; it does not itself create binding law or mandate insurer coverage. It follows a 2023 Office of the Auditor report assessing social and financial impacts of mandating pharmacist‑service coverage and seeks to advance the next step — a stakeholder study and draft legislation for 2026 consideration.

Sponsor and related measures

  • Primary sponsor: Representative Takayama
  • Related/companion: HR 146 (House Resolution)

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

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