Bill > HB1965

This bill establishes a Primary Care Providers Working Group within the State Health Planning and Development Agency to address critical issues affecting primary care services in Hawaii, which are currently facing a significant shortage and financial strain due to rising operational costs and stagnant reimbursements from health insurance companies. The working group will explore solutions such as setting minimum reimbursement percentages for primary care, examining insurance practices like "downcoding" (reducing the complexity or level of service billed) and restrictive prior authorization, and considering the creation of a special fund to stabilize and expand access to care, particularly in rural areas. The group, composed of representatives from state agencies, the insurance industry, healthcare professionals, and consumers, is tasked with submitting a report of its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027, and the working group itself will be dissolved on June 30, 2027.

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry, Health and Social Services

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1965&year=2026