This amendment creates a new state-funded program in Hawaii to pay for colorectal cancer screenings and treatment for uninsured residents, while also updating insurance laws to ensure all plans cover these services without extra costs.
Hawaii2026Enacted
HB1969
State-Funded Colorectal Cancer Screening Assistance
Last scannedAug 24, 2026, 11:30 PM
In one sentence
This law requires the Department of Human Services to create a program that pays for colorectal cancer screenings and follow-up colonoscopies for specific residents who are uninsured or lack full coverage, with no out-of-pocket costs.
What it does
- Requires the Department of Human Services to develop a state-funded financial assistance program for colorectal cancer screenings.
- Pays for necessary follow-up colonoscopies after positive screening test results.
- Ensures that covered services have no deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, or other cost-sharing fees.
- Requires health insurance plans to cover all A and B grade screening methods recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force.
- Appropriates funds from general state revenues for fiscal year 2026-2027 to start this program.
Who it affects
- Uninsured residents of Hawaii who need colorectal cancer screenings.
- Residents with health insurance that does not cover these services without cost-sharing fees.
- Permanent U.S. resident aliens and nonresident aliens who are ineligible for Medicaid.
- Health insurance providers in the state required to offer coverage for recommended screening methods.
Limits and unknowns
- The specific dollar amount for funding is not listed in this text and depends on legislative appropriation.
- The Department of Human Services must create rules before people can apply, so exact application steps are not yet defined.
- Coverage applies only to screenings that meet federal guidelines from the United States Preventive Services Task Force.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Cost-sharing
- Fees like deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance that a patient must pay out of pocket for medical care.
- Colonoscopy
- A follow-up medical procedure used to examine the inside of the colon after an initial screening test shows positive results.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
RELATING TO COLORECTAL CANCER. DHS; Colorectal Cancer Screenings; Colorectal Cancer Treatment; State-Funded Financial Assistance; Appropriation ($) Requires the Department of Human Services to develop and implement a state-funded financial assistance program to offer state-funded colorectal screenings and treatment for certain persons. Requires state-funded coverage for follow-up treatment for colorectal cancer for certain persons. Requires coverage to include a follow-up colonoscopy after a positive test result. Specifies that coverage is not subject to a deductible, copayment, coinsurance, or any other cost-sharing requirements. Appropriates funds and establishes one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) position. (CD1)
Official activity
Bill history
- Act 219, on 07/09/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1321).H
- Act 219, 07/09/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1321).S
- Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).S
- Transmitted to Governor.H
- Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).H
- Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and none excused (0).H
- Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none).S
- 48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26S
- Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 166-26).S
- Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.H
- Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 166-26) as amended in (CD 1).H
- The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Keohokalole, Wakai, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.S
- The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 5 Ayes: Representative(s) Takayama, Marten, Grandinetti, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Alcos; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.H
- Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Friday 05-01-26 3:40PM in conference room 329.H
- Bill scheduled for Conference Committee Meeting on Thursday, 04-30-26 3:40PM in conference room 329.H
- Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 737).H
- Senate Conferees Appointed: Keohokalole Chair; Wakai Co-Chair; San Buenaventura.S
- Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 799).S
- House Conferees Appointed: Takayama, Marten, Grandinetti, Keohokapu-Lee Loy Co-Chairs; Alcos.H
- Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 599).S
Changes
Amendments
4 stored
This amendment creates a new state-funded program to pay for colorectal cancer screenings for Hawaii residents who are uninsured, have insurance that charges extra fees, or cannot get Medicaid.
This amendment creates a state-funded program to pay for colorectal cancer screenings for uninsured residents, permanent aliens ineligible for Medicaid, and nonresident aliens in Hawaii.
This amendment creates a state-funded program to pay for colorectal cancer screenings and necessary treatment in Hawaii for people who are uninsured, have insurance that charges fees for these tests, or cannot get Medicaid.