Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

Hawaii Senate Bill SCR130

Introduced

3/7/25

Refer

3/12/25

Caption

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.

Impact

The resolution articulates that significant savings could occur due to reduced billing and collection costs, which currently consume a considerable portion of resources in hospitals and physician practices. It posits that a streamlined administrative system would not only lower the state's healthcare costs but also enhance available funding for community-based programs tailored to serve high-risk populations. The document also touches on the pressing need to address Hawaii's physician shortage, advocating for improved compensation for primary care and psychiatry to retain healthcare professionals amid the state's high cost of living.

Summary

Senate Concurrent Resolution 130 (SCR130) is aimed at reactivating the Hawaii Health Authority to develop a plan for transitioning to a single-payer healthcare system within the State of Hawaii. The resolution underscores the urgency of creating a more cost-effective healthcare financing system in light of potential deep cuts to federal Medicaid funding. By pursuing a single-payer approach, the resolution highlights the potential for substantial administrative cost savings while maintaining care delivery standards for medical professionals.

Contention

Notably, the proposal does suggest a shift in how healthcare is financed within Hawaii, with the hope that the Health Authority will manage this transition effectively while ensuring federal funding is secured through acquired waivers. However, debates around the resolution may revolve around concerns about the feasibility of implementing a single-payer system, potential resistance from stakeholders within the existing healthcare framework, and the need to ensure that all residents benefit equitably from such a system. Ultimately, SCR130 requests that the Health Authority report back to the legislature on its progress and recommendations, indicating an ongoing dialogue about the direction of healthcare policy in Hawaii.

Companion Bills

HI SR109

Same As 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.

HI HCR176

Previously Filed As

HI SCR135

Urging The Governor's Senior Advisor For Mental Health And The Justice System To Define Their Role And To Provide An Annual Report To The Legislature On The Progress The State Has Made Towards Jail Diversion.

HI SCR167

Urging The Department Of Health And Encouraging The County Of Maui, United States Army Corps Of Engineers, And Federal Emergency Management Agency To Take Certain Measures To Ensure The Safest Possible Management Of Ash And Debris From The August 2023 Maui Wildfires.

HI SCR23

Urging The Department Of Health To Amend The Hawaii Administrative Rules To Authorize Licensed Dietitians To Prescribe Modified Diets And Plan Therapeutic Diets.

HI SCR160

Requesting The Department Of Human Services To File A Request With The Centers For Medicare And Medicaid Services To Amend The State's Existing Section 1115 Demonstration Program To Implement A Housing And Health Opportunities Demonstration Program To Enable Direct Housing Costs For Medicaid Recipients To Be Covered By The Federal Financial Participation For Medicaid.

HI SCR54

Urging The Hawaii Housing Finance And Development Corporation To Promote Supportive Housing In The State's Low-income Housing Tax Credit Program.

HI SCR11

Urging The Department Of Hawaiian Home Lands To Notify Beneficiaries Through Beneficiary Consultation Prior To Disposing Of Hawaiian Home Lands And To Exercise Other Protections Of Beneficiary Interests.

HI SCR55

Urging Hawaii's Congressional Delegation To Introduce And Support Legislation To Amend Title Iv-a Of The Social Security Act To Allow Unspent Temporary Assistance For Needy Families Funds To Be Used By States To Build Transitional Supportive Housing And Affordable Rental Housing.

HI SCR188

Urging The Department Of Human Services' Med-quest Division To Advocate That The State Increase Medicaid Reimbursements To Dentists And, Upon An Increase Approval, To Proactively Inform Both Dental Service Providers And Medicaid Beneficiaries Of New Rate Plans.

HI SCR213

Urging The Hawaii Housing Finance And Development Corporation To Prioritize The Allocation Of Funds From The Rental Housing Revolving Fund, Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund, And Low-income Housing Tax Credits For Projects That Will Make The Most Efficient Use Of Taxpayer Funds And Address The Most Urgent State Priorities.

HI SCR81

Urging The Governor To Ensure That Relevant State Agencies, Including The Department Of Health And Department Of Human Services, Collaborate To Explore Avenues To Ensure Continued Access To Affordable Medications For The State's Underserved Populations Under The 340b Drug Pricing Program And Urging Hawaii's Congressional Delegation And Relevant Federal Agencies To Monitor Pharmaceutical Companies And Take Appropriate Actions To Protect The Integrity Of The 340b Drug Pricing Program.

Similar Bills

AL HB279

Relating to Medicaid; to amend Section 40-26B-26, Code of Alabama 1975, to revise the circumstances under which the Alabama Medicaid Agency may revise the ceiling for the Medicaid reimbursement rate to nursing facilities during a given fiscal year; and to make nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the existing code language to current style.