Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

Hawaii House Bill HCR152

Introduced
3/7/25  

Caption

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.

Impact

By mandating health insurance coverage for healthcare services provided by pharmacists, the resolution focuses on increasing access to care for individuals who otherwise face barriers. It anticipates that pharmacists' capabilities, which include medication therapy management, immunizations, and chronic disease management, could alleviate healthcare burdens and improve patient outcomes. The result could be a more integrated healthcare delivery model, strengthening the roles of pharmacists as vital components of the healthcare system.

Summary

HCR152 is a House Concurrent Resolution introduced in the Thirty-third Legislature of Hawaii in 2025, which seeks to address the significant shortage of healthcare providers within the state, particularly in rural areas and among underserved communities. The resolution highlights the essential role pharmacies play in delivering healthcare services and sets the groundwork for establishing a Pharmacy Reimbursement Working Group. This group is tasked with exploring and proposing legislation aimed at ensuring pharmacists can receive fair reimbursement for health services provided to patients within their scope of practice.

Contention

HCR152 presents potential contention points regarding the reimbursement model and the impact on health insurance companies. While proponents argue that this measure will improve healthcare delivery and reduce costs related to hospital readmissions, there may be concerns about how these changes will be implemented, including the financial implications for insurers and the capacity of pharmacists to handle increased responsibilities. Additionally, the resolution aims to evaluate successful models from other jurisdictions, which could bring useful insights but also lead to debates on the best practices to adopt in Hawaii.

Companion Bills

HI HR146

Same As 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.

Previously Filed As

HI HCR175

Requesting The Director Of Commerce And Consumer Affairs To Convene A Working Group To Study And Devise Comprehensive Strategies To Restore Accessible Insurance Options To Residents And Commercial Businesses In Lava Zones 1 And 2.

HI SCR82

Requesting The Director Of Commerce And Consumer Affairs To Convene A Working Group To Study And Devise Comprehensive Strategies To Restore Accessible Insurance Options To Residents And Commercial Businesses In Lava Zones 1 And 2.

HI SR68

Requesting The Director Of Commerce And Consumer Affairs To Convene A Working Group To Study And Devise Comprehensive Strategies To Restore Accessible Insurance Options To Residents And Commercial Businesses In Lava Zones 1 And 2.

HI HR155

Requesting The Director Of Commerce And Consumer Affairs To Convene A Working Group To Study And Devise Comprehensive Strategies To Restore Accessible Insurance Options To Residents And Commercial Businesses In Lava Zones 1 And 2.

HI HCR207

Requesting The Department Of Health To Convene An Early Lung Cancer Screening Working Group To Continue The Efforts Of The Early Lung Cancer Screening Task Force Established Pursuant To Act 162, Session Laws Of Hawaii 2022.

HI SCR17

Requesting The Auditor To Conduct A Social And Financial Assessment Of Proposed Mandatory Health Insurance Coverage For Services Provided By Pharmacists.

HI SCR29

Requesting The Auditor To Conduct A Social And Financial Assessment Of Proposed Mandatory Health Insurance Coverage For Services Provided By Pharmacists.

HI HR211

Requesting The Department Of Health To Convene An Early Lung Cancer Screening Working Group To Continue The Efforts Of The Early Lung Cancer Screening Task Force Established Pursuant To Act 162, Session Laws Of Hawaii 2022.

HI HCR179

Requesting The State Health Planning And Development Agency To Convene A Health Information Data Sharing Working Group To Collaborate And Establish The Framework And Standards For Future Health Information Data Sharing Legislation.

HI HCR91

Requesting The Department Of Human Services To Establish A Working Group To Address Issues Relating To Reimbursements And Payments To Home- And Community-based Services Providers.

Similar Bills

AZ HB2208

Pharmacists; pharmacies; reimbursement costs; appeals

CA AB317

Pharmacist service coverage.

CA AB1366

Reimbursement for pharmacist services.

WI AB173

Regulation of pharmacy benefit managers, fiduciary and disclosure requirements on pharmacy benefit managers, and application of prescription drug payments to health insurance cost-sharing requirements. (FE)

WI SB203

Regulation of pharmacy benefit managers, fiduciary and disclosure requirements on pharmacy benefit managers, and application of prescription drug payments to health insurance cost-sharing requirements. (FE)

TX SB1354

Relating to the minimum reimbursement amount for prescription drugs and devices to health benefit plan network pharmacists and pharmacies.

TX HB2978

Relating to the minimum reimbursement amount for prescription drugs and devices to health benefit plan network pharmacists and pharmacies.

WI SB737

Regulation of pharmacy benefit managers, fiduciary and disclosure requirements on pharmacy benefit managers, and application of prescription drug payments to health insurance cost-sharing requirements. (FE)