URGING THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY TO EXTEND THE RENEWAL PERIOD FOR SECRETARIAL DESIGNEE HEALTH CARE AUTHORIZATIONS RELATED TO THE RED HILL WATER CONTAMINATION CRISIS AND TO IMPROVE HEALTH CARE ACCESS FOR AFFECTED INDIVIDUALS.

HR176

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

176

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

URGING THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND
DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY TO EXTEND THE RENEWAL PERIOD FOR SECRETARIAL DESIGNEE
HEALTH CARE AUTHORIZATIONS RELATED TO THE RED HILL WATER CONTAMINATION crisis
AND TO IMPROVE HEALTH CARE ACCESS FOR AFFECTED INDIVIDUALS
.

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WHEREAS, the
contamination of a significant portion of Oahu's drinking water supply from the
release of fuel from the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in November 2021,
created significant health concerns for military families, civilian residents,
and United States Department of Defense personnel living in military housing
and surrounding communities; and

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WHEREAS, the
Red Hill water contamination crisis resulted in numerous reports of health
symptoms among affected residents, including headaches, nausea, respiratory
irritation, skin conditions, and other medical issues associated with potential
fuel exposure; and

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WHEREAS, protecting
the health and well-being of servicemembers and their families is essential to
maintaining military readiness and ensuring that those who serve the nation are
supported by a strong and reliable system of medical care; and

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WHEREAS, the
federal government owes a duty of care to servicemembers, military families,
and civilian personnel who were exposed to contaminated drinking water while
residing in military housing; and

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WHEREAS, the
United States Department of Defense, through the Defense Health Agency,
authorized expanded access to civilian medical providers through Secretarial
Designee letters administered under TRICARE to ensure that affected individuals
could receive timely medical care; and

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WHEREAS, these
Secretarial Designee authorizations currently require periodic renewal, which
may create uncertainty and barriers for patients and health care providers
seeking continuity of care; and

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WHEREAS, many
affected individuals continue to experience ongoing health concerns and require
long-term monitoring, evaluation, and treatment related to potential fuel
exposure; and

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WHEREAS, many
servicemembers and military families affected by the Red Hill water
contamination crisis have since relocated to military installations across the
United States; and

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WHEREAS, in
many areas of the continental United States, there are limited or no military
treatment facilities nearby, making it more difficult for affected individuals
to access military health services; and

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WHEREAS, reliance
on civilian medical providers is often necessary in these regions; however,
some affected individuals have reported challenges with referrals, coverage,
and reimbursement for care related to the Red Hill fuel exposure; and

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WHEREAS, improved
coordination between military treatment facilities and civilian providers,
including the use of "warm handoff" referral practices and
coordinated patient transitions, would help ensure continuity of care and
better health outcomes for affected individuals; and

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WHEREAS, establishing
reimbursement or voucher programs for medical services related to the Red Hill fuel
exposure could help ensure equitable access to health care for affected
individuals, regardless of their geographic location and whether a military
treatment facility is available nearby; now, therefore,

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BE IT
RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the
State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, that the United States Department of
Defense and Defense Health Agency are urged to extend the renewal period for
Secretarial Designee health care authorizations related to the Red Hill water
contamination crisis to a two-year renewal cycle to promote stability and
continuity of care for affected individuals; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the United States Department of Defense is urged to improve
access to health care for individuals affected by the Red Hill water
contamination crisis by:

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(1)
�
Expanding access to civilian medical providers
under TRICARE;

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(2)
�
Implementing coordinated referral practices,
including "warm handoffs", between military treatment facilities and
civilian providers to improve care coordination and patient transitions;

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(3)
�
Promoting continuity of care and long-term
medical monitoring for individuals affected by Red Hill fuel exposure; and

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(4)
�
Exploring or establishing reimbursement or
voucher programs to assist individuals who incur out-of-pocket costs for
medical services related to Red Hill fuel exposure, particularly for those
residing in areas without military treatment facilities nearby; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the President
of the United States, United States Secretary of Defense, Director of the
Defense Health Agency, and Hawaii's Congressional delegation.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:
�

Improved
Health Care; Red Hill Water Contamination Crisis