Bill > HB870

This bill directs the Hawaii Department of Human Services (DHS) to adopt rules that will expand Medicaid eligibility to all children in the state from birth to age 5, regardless of their household income. Currently, Medicaid (a joint federal and state health insurance program for low-income individuals) typically has income restrictions, but this bill would remove those restrictions for young children. The legislation includes a significant appropriation of $317,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to fund this expanded coverage. The appropriated funds will be used by the DHS to implement this new, broader Medicaid eligibility program. The bill is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2025, which means that starting on that date, all children in Hawaii between birth and 5 years old will be eligible for Medicaid coverage without any income qualifications.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=870&year=2026