summary
Introduced
01/28/2026
01/28/2026
In Committee
02/18/2026
02/18/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Repeals a provision in Act 4, Special Session Laws of Hawaii 2005, that prohibits the Department of Human Services from taking any action to remove pharmaceutical benefits management from managed care plans that provide health care coverage for Hawaii Medicaid beneficiaries. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
AI Summary
This bill repeals a specific provision from a 2005 law that prevented the Department of Human Services from removing pharmaceutical benefits management from managed care plans, which are arrangements where private companies manage healthcare coverage for Hawaii Medicaid beneficiaries. Pharmaceutical benefits management, or PBM, refers to how prescription drug benefits are handled, including things like negotiating drug prices and managing pharmacy networks. By repealing this restriction, the bill aims to give the Department of Human Services more flexibility to evaluate and implement different approaches to managing prescription drug benefits for Medicaid recipients, known as med-QUEST, in order to better serve beneficiaries and control healthcare costs. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 3000.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Housing and Urban Affairs
Sponsors (12)
Terez Amato (D)*,
Della Belatti (D)*,
Tina Grandinetti (D)*,
Ikaika Hussey (D)*,
Greggor Ilagan (D)*,
Kim Iwamoto (D)*,
Jeanné Kapela (D)*,
Scot Matayoshi (D)*,
Amy Perruso (D)*,
Mahina Poepoe (D)*,
Gregg Takayama (D)*,
Shirley Ann Templo (D)*,
Last Action
Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0). (on 02/18/2026)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=2224&year=2026 |
| BillText | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB2224_HD1_.HTM |
| Committee Report HB2224_HD1_HSCR376-26_ | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/CommReports/HB2224_HD1_HSCR376-26_.pdf |
| HB2224_TESTIMONY_HSH_02-12-26_ | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/Testimony/HB2224_TESTIMONY_HSH_02-12-26_.PDF |
| BillText | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB2224_.HTM |
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