HB1871 • 2026

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Budget Healthcare Technology

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor: ILAGAN, BELATTI, HASHEM, ICHIYAMA, KAHALOA, KAPELA, MARTEN, MIYAKE, OLDS, PERRUSO, POEPOE, REYES ODA, SOUZA, TAKAYAMA, TAM
Last action: 2026-03-30
Official status: Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide specific details on how the $600,000 will be allocated beyond covering costs for contracting with technology vendors and administering the pilot program.

Maternal Health Monitoring Pilot Program

This bill establishes a Maternal Health Monitoring Pilot Program within the Department of Health to provide remote patient monitoring for pregnant women with hypertension and diabetes, funded by $600,000 from state revenues.

What This Bill Does

Establishes the Maternal Health Monitoring Pilot Program within the Department of Health to offer eligible participants improved maternal health care through remote patient monitoring for maternal hypertension and maternal diabetes.
Allocates $600,000 from state funds to cover costs related to implementing the pilot program.

Who It Names or Affects

Pregnant women who are recipients of medical assistance and members of participating managed care organizations.
Healthcare providers such as obstetricians and maternal-fetal medicine physicians.
Managed care organizations selected by the Department of Health to administer the pilot program.

Terms To Know

Remote patient monitoring: Using technology to collect health data from patients remotely, such as blood pressure or glucose levels, and transmit it securely for review.
Eligible participant: A pregnant woman who is a recipient of medical assistance and part of a participating managed care organization.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify how the $600,000 will be allocated beyond covering costs for contracting with technology vendors and administering the program.
It remains unclear which specific counties or regions within Hawaii will participate in this pilot program.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

HD1

Hawaii published version HD1

Plain English: The amendment establishes a pilot program to improve maternal health care through remote monitoring for hypertension and diabetes during pregnancy and up to three months postpartum.

Adds definitions for key terms such as 'Department', 'Eligible participant', 'Escalation pathway', etc., which are necessary for understanding the scope of the pilot program.
Specifies that the technology vendor must provide remote patient monitoring devices and training to eligible participants, ensuring they can use these tools effectively during pregnancy and postpartum period.
Requires the department to pay fees to managed care organizations to cover costs related to administering the pilot program and contracting with the technology vendor.

The amendment text does not specify how the $600,000 allocated for offsetting costs will be distributed or used in detail.
It is unclear from the provided text what specific criteria are used to select participating managed care organizations and technology vendors.

SD1

Hawaii published version SD1

Plain English: The amendment establishes a pilot program to use remote patient monitoring technology for pregnant women with hypertension and diabetes, aiming to improve their health care through better monitoring and support.

Adds definitions for key terms such as 'Department', 'Eligible participant', 'Escalation pathway', etc., which are necessary for understanding the pilot program's implementation.
Specifies that the Department of Health will establish a maternal health monitoring pilot program using remote patient monitoring technology to improve care for pregnant women with hypertension and diabetes.
Requires participating managed care organizations to contract directly with a selected technology vendor to offer this remote monitoring service.
Sets up requirements for the technology vendor, including ensuring devices are delivered to participants and providing training on their use.

The amendment does not specify how the pilot program will be funded beyond allocating $600,000 from the department's budget.
Details about the exact nature of the remote monitoring technology and devices are not provided in this excerpt.

Bill History

2026-03-30 S
Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.
2026-03-30 S
Reported from HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3306) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.
2026-03-20 S
The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HHS were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, Kanuha, Keohokalole, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) McKelvey.
2026-03-17 S
The committee(s) on HHS has scheduled a public hearing on 03-20-26 1:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.
2026-03-10 S
Referred to HHS, WAM.
2026-03-06 S
Passed First Reading.
2026-03-06 S
Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 59).
2026-03-05 H
Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Perruso excused (1). Transmitted to Senate.
2026-03-05 H
Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 851-26), recommending passage on Third Reading.
2026-02-27 H
The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 15 Ayes: Representative(s) Todd, Takenouchi, Hartsfield, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Miyake, Morikawa, Perruso, Templo, Yamashita, Alcos, Gedeon, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Lee, M..
2026-02-24 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Friday, 02-27-26 10:00AM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-02-18 H
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).
2026-02-18 H
Reported from HLT (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 362-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.
2026-02-11 H
The committee on HLT recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Takayama, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Amato, Hartsfield, Marten, Olds, Takenouchi, Alcos, Garcia; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.
2026-02-06 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by HLT on Wednesday, 02-11-26 9:00AM in House conference room 329 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-01-26 H
Referred to HLT, FIN, referral sheet 2
2026-01-26 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
2026-01-23 H
Pending introduction.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO HEALTH.
DOH; Maternal Health Monitoring Pilot Program; Remote Patient Monitoring; Appropriation ($)
Establishes the Maternal Health Monitoring Pilot Program within the Department of Health to offer eligible participants improved maternal health care through remote patient monitoring for maternal hypertension and maternal diabetes. Appropriates funds. Effective 1/1/2050. (SD1)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB1871

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1871

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING
TO HEALTH
.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

����
SECTION 1.
�
Definitions.
�
As used in this Act, unless the context
clearly indicates otherwise:

����
"Department"
means the department of health.

����
"Eligible
participant" means a patient who is:

����
(1)
�
A recipient of medical assistance;

����
(2)
�
A member of a participating managed care
organization; and

����
(3)
�
Pregnant.

����
"Escalation
pathway" means an agreement between the participating managed care
organization and the technology vendor on a process to follow when an eligible
participant's measurements are concerning and warrant further review and
investigation.

����
"Health
care provider" means an obstetrician or maternal-fetal medicine physician
who:

����
(1)
�
Is licensed in Hawaii;

����
(2)
�
Is in-network with a participating managed
care organization; and

����
(3)
�
Cares for an eligible participant during
pregnancy.

����
"Participating
managed care organization" means a managed care organization selected by
the department to administer the pilot program.

����
"Pilot
program" means the maternal health monitoring pilot program.

����
"Remote
monitoring clinical care team" means a team of nurses who are licensed in
Hawaii and dietitians that monitor eligible participants' measurements and
provide nutrition guidance, diabetes and hypertension condition management
counseling, and pregnancy and postpartum advice.

����
"Remote
patient monitoring for maternal hypertension and maternal diabetes" means
technology provided by the technology vendor that:

����
(1)
�
Collects health data from an eligible
participant and electronically transmits that information securely for
interpretation and recommendation;

����
(2)
�
Uses devices that are authorized by the United
States Food and Drug Administration;

����
(3)
�
Monitors health data, including blood
pressure, weight, blood glucose levels, or other physiological health data as
determined by the eligible participant's health care provider;

����
(4)
�
Transmits health data through cellular
networks; and

����
(5)
�
Provides preprogrammed equipment specifically
for each eligible participant.

����
"Technology
vendor" means the technology company selected by the department to
contract with the participating managed care organizations in administering the
pilot program.

����
SECTION
2.
�
Maternal health monitoring pilot
program; establishment; administration.
�

(a)
�
The maternal health
monitoring pilot program shall be established within the department to offer
eligible participants improved maternal health care through remote patient
monitoring for maternal hypertension and maternal diabetes.

����
(b)
�
The department shall implement the pilot
program in as many counties as necessary to ensure participation of up to three
hundred eligible participants.

����
(c)
�
The department shall select one or more
participating managed care organizations and one technology vendor to
administer the pilot program in a manner determined by the department.

����
(d)
�
The participating managed care organizations
shall:

����
(1)
�
Contract directly with the technology vendor
to offer remote patient monitoring for maternal hypertension and maternal
diabetes; and

����
(2)
�
Ensure that eligible participants have access
to the pilot program.

����
(e)
�
The pilot program shall be operational no
later than one hundred eighty days after the contract date between a participating
managed care organization and the technology vendor; provided that the contract
shall be executed no later than June 30, 2027.

����
(f)
�
The pilot program shall conclude two years
after the pilot program becomes operational.

����
SECTION 3.
�
Remote patient monitoring for maternal
hypertension and maternal diabetes; requirements.
�
The technology vendor shall meet the
following requirements when offering remote patient monitoring for maternal
hypertension and maternal diabetes to an eligible participant under the pilot
program:

����
(1)
�
Ensure that remote patient monitoring for
maternal hypertension and maternal diabetes is available during pregnancy and
for up to three months postpartum;

����
(2)
�
Ensure that remote patient monitoring devices
are delivered to eligible participants;

����
(3)
�
Ensure that eligible participants have access
to a training process on how to use the remote patient monitoring devices;

����
(4)
�
Assign a program manager to support
implementation and administration of the pilot program and to coordinate
efforts with the participating managed care organizations and department; and

����
(5)
�
Employ a remote monitoring clinical care team
that is capable of:

���������
(A)
�
Monitoring and reviewing an eligible
participant's health data;

���������
(B)
�
Creating an escalation pathway with the
participating managed care organization if an eligible participant's remote
patient monitoring readings for maternal hypertension and maternal diabetes, in
conjunction with the eligible participant's symptoms, require additional
medical attention;

���������
(C)
�
Providing health coaching to eligible
participants in matters including nutrition, condition management, and healthy
behavior modification; and

���������
(D)
�
Coordinating with an eligible participant's
health care provider as needed.

����
SECTION 4.
�
Fee for administration of the maternal
health monitoring pilot program.
�

(a)
�
The department shall pay a
fee to the participating managed care organizations to administer the pilot
program.

����
(b)
�
The participating managed care organizations
shall use the fee payment to cover the costs of:

����
(1)
�
Contracting with the technology vendor; and

����
(2)
�
Administering the pilot program.

����
(c)
�
The department shall allocate $600,000 to
offset the costs of the pilot program.

����
SECTION 5.
�
Report.
�
(a)
�
Twenty-four
months after the pilot program's implementation, the department shall
collaborate with the participating managed care organizations and any other
relevant stakeholders to develop a report evaluating the outcomes of the pilot
program.
�
The report shall include
recommendations regarding whether the pilot program should be expanded
throughout the State.

����
(b)
�
The report shall include data from pilot program
participants, including claims data, vital statistics data, and electronic
health record and electronic medical record data, to determine the pilot
program's impact on the following maternal, fetal, and neonatal health outcomes
and to assess whether the program improves maternal, fetal, and neonatal health
and results in Medicaid savings:

����
(1)
�
Maternal outcomes:

���������
(A)
�
Maternal mortality rate;

���������
(B)
�
Severe maternal morbidity rate;

���������
(C)
�
Preeclampsia;

���������
(D)
�
Cesarean section rate;

���������
(E)
�
Mean length of delivery hospital stay;

���������
(F)
�
Intensive care unit admission rate;

���������
(G)
�
Mean length of intensive care unit stay;

���������
(H)
�
Emergency department visits, hospitalizations,
and postpartum hospital readmission rate; and

���������
(I)
�
Postpartum visit adherence rate; and

����
(2)
�
Fetal and neonatal outcomes:

���������
(A)
�
Fetal mortality rate;

���������
(B)
�
Fetal growth restriction;

���������
(C)
�
Neonatal mortality rate;

���������
(D)
�
Neonatal intensive care unit admission rate;

���������
(E)
�
Mean length of neonatal intensive care unit stay;

���������
(F)
�
Neonatal hypoglycemia;

���������
(G)
�
Preterm birth;

���������
(H)
�
Gestational age at delivery; and

���������
(I)
�
Birthweight.

����
(c)
�
The department shall submit the report to:

����
(1)
�
The governor;

����
(2)
�
The president of the senate;

����
(3)
�
The speaker of the house of representatives;

����
(4)
�
The chair and vice chair of the senate
committee on health and human services; and

����
(5)
�
The chair and vice chair of the house of
representatives committee on health.

����
SECTION
6.
�
There is appropriated out of the
general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $600,000 or so much thereof
as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the purpose of the pilot
program established in this Act.

����
The sum
appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of
this Act.

����
SECTION 7.
�
This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

DOH;
Maternal Health Monitoring Pilot Program; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes
the Maternal Health Monitoring Pilot Program within the Department of Health to
offer eligible participants improved maternal health care through remote
patient monitoring for maternal hypertension and maternal diabetes.
�
Appropriates funds for the pilot program.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.