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SCR 182

REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO ENGAGE WITH THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND OTHER FEDERAL AND MILITARY PARTNERS TO EXPLORE ESTABLISHING A MILITARY-CIVILIAN TRAUMA PARTNERSHIP TO STRENGTHEN THE HAWAII TRAUMA SYSTEM.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Stanley Chang and 6 co-sponsors

Hawaii would study and potentially implement a military-civilian trauma partnership to increase civilian trauma capacity and readiness, including funding and tele-trauma support.

Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 832).
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Bill Summary · SCR 182

Summary of SCR 182 (Session 2026, Hawaii)

Purpose and Intent

  • SCR 182 requests the Governor and the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) to engage with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and other federal/military partners to explore establishing a military-civilian trauma partnership to strengthen Hawaii’s Trauma System.
  • The resolution aims to improve civilian trauma care in Hawaii by leveraging military trauma resources (notably Tripler Army Medical Center) to expand capacity, coordination, and readiness, while also enhancing disaster/mass casualty preparedness.

Key Provisions and Changes Proposed

  1. Interagency Engagement and Collaboration

    • Directs the Governor and DOH to collaborate with DoD and other federal/military partners.
    • Specifically encourages involvement of Tripler Army Medical Center (TAMC), Hawaii emergency medical services (EMS), civilian trauma centers, and other trauma system stakeholders.
    • Objective: identify operational pathways to integrate military trauma resources into Hawaii’s Trauma System.

  2. Evaluation of Opportunities and Roles

    • Assess TAMC’s potential role as a receiving trauma center for civilian patients within the Hawaii Trauma System.
    • Explore how military resources can be incorporated to boost civilian trauma care capacity and readiness.

  3. Funding and Reimbursement Considerations

    • Consider the need for increased, dedicated funding to support trauma system coordination, trauma readiness initiatives, and collaboration with military partners.
    • Evaluate mechanisms for reimbursing civilian trauma care provided by TAMC, including Medicaid-like reimbursement models used in other states (e.g., Texas) to compensate military facilities for civilian trauma care.

  4. Legislative and Regulatory Adaptations

    • Identify any legislative or regulatory changes necessary to enable TAMC to receive reimbursement for civilian trauma patients.
    • Explore Medicaid-like reimbursement pathways to ensure financial viability of civilian care at military facilities.

  5. Tele-Trauma and Rural Support

    • Propose development of statewide military-civilian tele-trauma consultation capabilities to assist rural and community hospitals with trauma assessment, stabilization, and triage decisions.

  6. Reporting Timeline

    • DOH is to prepare and submit a report outlining findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the convening of the Regular Session of 2027.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Hawaii residents receiving trauma care, particularly civilians in need of rapid access to level I/II trauma care.
  • Tripler Army Medical Center as a potential civilian trauma receiving center and as a partner in the statewide trauma system.
  • DOH, Hawaii EMS providers, and civilian trauma centers (hospitals) involved in the Hawaii Trauma System.
  • State policymakers and the Legislature, which would receive recommendations and any proposed legislation in 2027.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • This is a concurrent resolution (SCR), not a bill imposing new law. It authorizes exploration and study rather than immediate statutory changes.
  • Key action: DOH to report back with findings and recommendations, including potential legislation, by 20 days prior to the 2027 Regular Session.
  • Endorsed through a multi-committee process in both houses, with co-sponsors representing bipartisan and diverse viewpoints.

Context and Rationale

  • Hawaii faces trauma system challenges due to geographic isolation, limited specialty resources, and bed availability, leading to prolonged transfer times for critically injured patients.
  • TAMC, designated as a level II trauma center, has advanced military trauma capabilities but is not routinely a civilian trauma receiving center.
  • The resolution cites successful military-civilian trauma collaborations in other states (e.g., Military-Civilian Partnership for Trauma Readiness) and Hawaii’s strategic position in the Indo-Pacific as rationale for pursuing stronger military-civilian integration.

Summary

SCR 182 seeks to initiate a formal, structured collaboration between Hawaii’s DOH, TAMC, and federal/military partners to evaluate and potentially implement a military-civilian trauma partnership. The focus is on increasing civilian trauma care capacity and readiness, funding appropriate enhancements, enabling reimbursement pathways, and establishing tele-trauma support for rural hospitals. A detailed report with recommendations and possible legislation is due before the 2027 Legislature.

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

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