HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1575
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO ACCESS TO MOVEMENT DISORDER CARE.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that access to specialized care for individuals living with Parkinson's disease and related movement disorders is limited in Hawaii. The State's only designated movement disorder center is located on Oahu, requiring residents of neighbor islands to travel long distances at significant personal cost.

For many patients and caregivers, traveling to Oahu for consultations, evaluations, and treatment is financially prohibitive and logistically burdensome. As Parkinson's disease progresses, mobility challenges make air travel more difficult, increasing barriers to timely care. These inequities raise serious concerns about access, quality of care, and long-term health outcomes for residents living outside Oahu.

The legislature further finds that creating a dedicated state-administered fund, with the ability to leverage federal grants, philanthropic dollars, and private partnerships, may help offset transportation costs and ensure equitable access to care for all Hawaii residents living with Parkinson's disease.

The purpose of this Act is to establish a temporary Parkinson's patient air transport feasibility committee to examine recommendations for improving access to movement disorder care for neighbor island residents, including the feasibility of a state-administered air transport assistance fund.

SECTION 2. (a) There shall be established, within the department of health for administrative purposes, the temporary Parkinson's patient air transport feasibility committee.

(b) The committee shall consist of the following members:

(1) The director of health, or the director's designee, who shall serve as chairperson;

(2) The director of transportation, or the director's designee;

(3) One representative of the Parkinson's community, appointed by the governor;

(4) One physician specializing in movement disorders, appointed by the dean of the university of Hawaii John A. Burns school of medicine;

(5) One representative from a patient advocacy organization, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; and

(6) One representative from the airline industry, appointed by the president of the senate.

(c) The committee shall examine:

(1) The number of Parkinson's patients residing on each neighbor island and their estimated travel needs;

(2) Current costs borne by patients and caregivers for interisland air travel and related lodging or transportation;

(3) Potential funding models for a state-administered air transport assistance fund, including state appropriations, federal grants, private foundation grants, and public-private partnerships;

(4) Administrative mechanisms to disburse assistance equitably and efficiently;

(5) Opportunities for collaboration with airlines, health care providers, and nonprofits to reduce patient costs; and

(6) Any additional recommendations to improve access to movement disorder care for neighbor island residents.

(d) The committee shall be seated no later than September 30, 2026, and shall meet at least once per month, either electronically or in person, in October, November, and December 2026.

(e) The committee shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation, to the legislature on or before December 30, 2026.

(f) The committee shall cease to exist on June 30, 2027.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $100,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to carry out the purposes of this Act, including staffing, research, travel, and administrative support for the temporary Parkinson's patient air transport feasibility committee.

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

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Movement Disorder Care; Parkinson's Patient Air Transport Feasibility Committee; Patient Access; Interisland Travel; Report; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes a temporary Parkinson's Patient Air Transport Feasibility Committee to examine recommendations for improving access to movement disorder care for neighbor island residents, including the feasibility of a state-administered air transport assistance fund. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds.

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