ESTABLISHING THE HAWAII HEALTH PLAN WORKING GROUP TO DESIGN AND RECOMMEND A BASIC, AFFORDABLE HAWAII HEALTH PLAN AVAILABLE TO EVERY RESIDENT OF THE STATE.

SR49

THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

49

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

establishing the Hawaii Health Plan Working Group to
design and recommend a basic, affordable Hawaii Health Plan available to every
resident of the State
.

����
WHEREAS, the
federal Premium Tax Credit is a refundable tax credit that helps lower the
amount that eligible individuals and families pay each month for coverage under
a qualified health plan purchased through the Health Insurance Marketplace; and

����
WHEREAS, in
2021, Congress enhanced the Premium Tax Credit, making health insurance more
affordable for approximately 22,000,000 to 24,000,000 people in the United
States; and

����
WHEREAS, at
the end of 2025, the enhanced portion of the Premium Tax Credit expired and was
not extended by Congress, and this risks making health insurance unaffordable
for millions of individuals across the country; and

����
WHEREAS, the
One Big Beautiful Bill Act also increased Medicaid work requirements; and

����
WHEREAS, these
changes by the federal government are expected to leave an estimated six to
seven percent of Hawaii's population without health insurance coverage; and

����
WHEREAS, in
the late 1980s, Hawaii faced a similar problem in which an estimated five
percent of the State's population lacked health insurance.
�
In response, the Legislature enacted Act 378,
Session Laws of Hawaii 1989, known as the State Health Insurance Program Act,
to help subsidize insurance coverage for qualifying uninsured residents; and

����
WHEREAS, the
State Health Insurance Program Act was generally successful in providing
affordable health insurance to residents who would otherwise lack health
insurance coverage; and

����
WHEREAS, a
similar program, if enacted today, may help to provide health insurance coverage
for the tens of thousands of Hawaii residents who are expected to become
uninsured under the new federal standards; now, therefore,

����
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third
Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, that the Senate hereby
establishes the Hawaii Health Plan Working Group to design and recommend a basic,
affordable Hawaii Health Plan available to every resident of the State; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the working group shall comprise the following:

����
(1)
�
The Chair of the Standing Committee of the
Senate having primary jurisdiction over health, or the chair's designee, who
shall serve as the chair of the working group;

����
(2)
�
A representative from the Office of the
Governor, to be appointed by the Governor;

����
(3)
�
The Insurance Commissioner, or the Commissioner's
designee;

����
(4)
�
The Administrator of the State Health Planning
and Development Agency, or the Administrator's designee;

����
(5)
�
The President and Chief Operating Officer of the
Hawaii Medical Service Association, or the President and Chief Operating
Officer's designee, who shall be invited to be a member; and

����
(6)
�
The Market President, Hawaii Region, for
Kaiser Permanente, or the Market President's designee, who shall be invited to
be a member; and

����
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to
consider and follow the provisions of House Bill No. 1789, Regular Session of
2026, and Senate Bill No. 3243, Regular Session of 2026, regarding the values,
principles, scope of design of the Hawaii Health Plan, and general nature of
the system to be developed; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to assist in preparing
any legislation proposed by the working group; provided that the working group shall
provide a draft of any legislation to the Bureau no later than October 15, 2026;
and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the working group is requested to submit a report of its findings
and recommendations for the design of the Hawaii Health Plan, including any proposed
legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the
convening of the Regular Session of 2027; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the working group cease to exist on June 30, 2027; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the
Governor; Chairs of the Standing Committees of the Senate and House of
Representatives having primary jurisdiction over health; Insurance
Commissioner; Administrator of the State Health Planning and Development
Agency; President and Chief Operating Officer of the Hawaii Medical Service
Association; and Market President, Hawaii Region, for Kaiser Permanente.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:
�

Health
Insurance; Affordable Care Act; Hawaii Health Plan Working Group