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HCR 95

SUPPORTING THE REACTIVATION OF, AND URGING THE GOVERNOR TO APPOINT MEMBERS TO, THE HAWAII HEALTH AUTHORITY TO PLAN FOR A TRANSITION TO A MAXIMALLY COST-EFFECTIVE SINGLE-PAYER HEALTH CARE SYSTEM FOR THE STATE, TO BE IMPLEMENTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER WAIVERS HAVE BEEN OBTAINED TO CAPTURE ALL MAJOR SOURCES OF FEDERAL FUNDING FLOWING TO THE STATE THROUGH MEDICARE, MEDICAID, AND TRICARE.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Terez Amato and 5 co-sponsors

Hawaii resolution directs governor to plan single-payer health system by consolidating Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE funding through federal waivers.

Referred to HLT, FIN, referral sheet 18
#hawaiihealthauthority #reactivation #single-payerhealthcaresystem
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Bill Summary · HCR 95

Legislative bill overview

HCR 95 is a Hawaii resolution urging the governor to reactivate and appoint members to the Hawaii Health Authority, a body tasked with planning a transition to a single-payer health care system for the state. The proposal would consolidate major federal health funding streams (Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE) under state control, contingent on obtaining federal waivers.

Why is this important

Hawaii currently has fragmented health coverage across multiple payers. A single-payer system could potentially reduce administrative costs and provide universal coverage, but would represent a fundamental restructuring of how healthcare is financed and delivered in the state. The plan's success depends entirely on securing federal waivers that allow Hawaii to redirect substantial federal healthcare dollars—a significant bureaucratic and political hurdle.

Potential points of contention

  • Federal waiver feasibility: Obtaining waivers to consolidate Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE funds is politically and legally complex; no state has successfully implemented this model at full scale
  • Implementation timeline and costs: The resolution provides no funding mechanism or realistic implementation timeline, leaving major questions about transition logistics and who bears costs during changeover
  • Provider and insurer impacts: A single-payer system would eliminate private insurance in the state, affecting healthcare workers, insurers, and employers currently participating in the existing market
  • Quality and innovation concerns: Opponents argue centralized systems reduce competition and provider choice, while proponents counter that consolidation eliminates redundancy

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

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