Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

Hawaii House Bill HR146

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

The establishment of the Pharmacy Reimbursement Working Group is aimed at analyzing the current reimbursement practices for pharmacies and the impact of these practices on health care access. The working group will study the necessity of reimbursement for services provided by pharmacists and evaluate how the lack of coverage affects patient treatment. This could potentially lead to an amendment of state laws regarding health fund reimbursements and expand the scope of services pharmacists can provide to patients, thus improving healthcare outcomes and reducing costs associated with hospital readmissions.

Summary

H.R. 146, introduced in the State of Hawaii's 2025 Legislative Session, seeks to address the critical issue of pharmacy reimbursements by requesting the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to establish a working group dedicated to exploring and proposing legislation for mandatory insurance coverage of pharmacy services. This initiative emerges in response to the growing recognition of the role pharmacists play in the health care system, especially in underserved areas, where they can provide crucial services that extend beyond traditional dispensing roles. It indicates a shift towards recognizing pharmacists as key components of the health care delivery system, particularly in rural parts of Hawaii.

Contention

While the bill is poised to enhance pharmacy services and patient access to care, it could also bring about contention regarding funding and the feasibility of requiring health insurers to expand coverage. Concerns may arise from insurance companies, health care stakeholders, and lawmakers about the budget implications of implementing such mandatory coverage and the potential impact on insurance premiums. Overall, H.R. 146 reflects a wider legislative trend aimed at integrating pharmacists more actively into the health care framework, but debates over practical implementation and financial ramifications are expected.

Companion Bills

HI HCR152

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 HR139

Requesting The Department Of Commerce And Consumer Affairs To Conduct An Analysis Regarding The Scopes Of Practice For Advanced Practice Registered Nurses And Physician Assistants.

HI HR115

Requesting The Department Of Commerce And Consumer Affairs' Division Of Financial Institutions And The Hawaii Technology Development Corporation To Extend The Digital Currency Innovation Lab Pilot Project Until June 30, 2024, Or Until Legislation Is Enacted That Provides For A Digital Currency Licensure Program, Whichever Occurs First.

HI HR110

Requesting The Department Of Commerce And Consumer Affairs, In Consultation With The Department Of Taxation, To Conduct A Study On The Social And Economic Impacts Of Permitting The Sale Of Aerial Fireworks And Imposing A Tax On The Sale Of Aerial Fireworks.

HI HR176

Requesting The Department Of Commerce And Consumer Affairs, In Consultation With The Department Of Taxation, To Conduct A Study On The Social And Economic Impacts Of Permitting The Sale Of Aerial Fireworks And Imposing A Tax On The Sale Of Aerial Fireworks.

HI HR89

Requesting The Department Of Commerce And Consumer Affairs To Convene A Working Group On The Governance Of Housing Subdivisions In The Puna District, Hawaii County.

HI HR54

Requesting The Department Of Commerce And Consumer Affairs And The Contractors License Board To Ensure That The Contractors License Board Includes At Least Two Members With Expertise In Specialty Structural Contracting.

HI HR30

Requesting The Department Of Commerce And Consumer Affairs To Study Potential Solutions And Make Recommendations For A Long-term Management Plan For Sunset Memorial Park.

HI HCR139

Requesting The Department Of Commerce And Consumer Affairs To Conduct An Analysis Regarding The Scopes Of Practice For Advanced Practice Registered Nurses And Physician Assistants.

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 HB2978

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

TX SB1354

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

CA SB1254

Hospital pharmacies: medication profiles or lists for high-risk patients.