Hawaii House Bill HB641

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/21/25
• Refer: 1/21/25

Caption

Relating To Health.

Impact

The bill's implementation is expected to have significant implications on state laws governing health coverage, essentially integrating traditional healing methods into the conventional health insurance landscape. The requirement for all accident and health insurance policies that are issued or renewed after January 1, 2026, to include these practices indicates a notable shift towards recognizing and legitimizing native Hawaiian health practices as a valid form of medical care.

Summary

House Bill 641 introduces a mandate for health insurers in Hawaii to cover traditional native Hawaiian healing and cultural practices for services provided at federally qualified health centers and native Hawaiian health care systems. This legislation is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and aims to ensure that policyholders, along with their dependents, can access such services under their health insurance policies. Key practices highlighted include lomilomi massage, hooponopono, and laau lapaaau, and this bill responds to the growing need for inclusion of holistic approaches to health care within existing insurance frameworks.

Contention

While the recognition of traditional native Hawaiian healing is welcomed by proponents advocating for holistic health practices, there could be contention regarding insurance providers adapting to these requirements. Concerns may arise over the cost implications for insurers, the quality assurance of such traditional services, and whether out-of-network services could impose additional expenses on policyholders. Additionally, there might be discussions around how well these practices can be integrated and monitored within the existing health care system while maintaining cultural integrity.