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HR 176

URGING THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY TO EXTEND THE RENEWAL PERIOD FOR SECRETARIAL DESIGNEE HEALTH CARE AUTHORIZATIONS RELATED TO THE RED HILL WATER CONTAMINATION CRISIS AND TO IMPROVE HEALTH CARE ACCESS FOR AFFECTED INDIVIDUALS.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Terez Amato and 16 co-sponsors

Hawaii urges federal defense health agencies to extend temporary health care authorizations and improve access for Red Hill water contamination victims.

Re-referred to PBS, referral sheet 23
#improvedhealthcare #redhillwatercontaminationcrisis
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Bill Summary · HR 176

Legislative bill overview

HR 176 urges the U.S. Department of Defense and Defense Health Agency to extend the renewal period for health care authorizations granted to individuals affected by the Red Hill water contamination crisis in Hawaii, and to improve overall health care access for those impacted. The bill addresses ongoing medical needs resulting from fuel contamination that affected military housing water supplies in the Pearl Harbor area. This is a non-binding resolution requesting federal action rather than legislation with enforcement mechanisms.

Why is this important

The Red Hill water contamination incident exposed thousands of military families and civilians to contaminated drinking water, potentially causing long-term health effects. Affected individuals currently receive temporary health care authorizations that require periodic renewal, creating administrative burden and uncertainty for those managing ongoing health conditions. Extending renewal periods and improving access would reduce barriers to continuous medical care for a vulnerable population already dealing with contamination-related health impacts.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of federal responsibility: Debate over whether DoD/DHA should bear long-term health care costs versus other responsible parties or Hawaii state programs
  • Duration and sustainability: Unclear how long extensions should last and what funding mechanisms would support expanded health care access long-term
  • Definitional issues: Determining which individuals qualify as "affected" and which health conditions are causally linked to the contamination versus coincidental

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

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