Bill > HR172

This resolution supports the reactivation of the Hawaii Health Authority and urges the Governor to appoint members to plan for a transition to a single-payer health care system in the state. The resolution highlights potential benefits of such a system, including significant administrative cost savings of around 30% by reducing billing and collection expenses for hospitals, doctors, and healthcare administrators. The context for this proposal is the potential threat of federal Medicaid funding cuts and Hawaii's current high healthcare costs, which consume approximately 30% of the state budget. The resolution requests the Hawaii Health Authority to submit a progress report and recommendations, including proposed legislation, before the 2026 Legislative Session. The ultimate goal is to implement a cost-effective single-payer system that can capture federal funding from Medicare, Medicaid, and Tricare, with potential benefits such as funding community-based programs, improving physician pay in under-represented specialties, and addressing the state's physician shortage while reducing overall healthcare expenses.

Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HR&billnumber=172&year=2025