STAND. COM. REP. NO. 825-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1546

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1546, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish a three-year Health Coverage Continuity Pilot Program within the Department of Human Services, in consultation with the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, to assist individuals who have lost Medicaid health insurance coverage and lack access to other health insurance options;

(2) Authorize the Department of Human Services to contract with a nonprofit health insurer or community-based organization to operate the Pilot Program under certain circumstances;

(3) Authorize the Department of Human Services to issue premium subsidies in certain circumstances; and

(4) Require reports to the Legislature.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System; State Health Planning and Development Agency; Executive Office on Aging; Hawaiʻi Community Foundation; Catholic Charities Hawaiʻi; Hawaiʻi Psychological Association; Hawaiʻi Primary Care Association; Hawaiʻi Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations; Indivisible Hawaiʻi Healthcare Team; Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center; Hawaii Medical Association; Hawaiʻi Appleseed Center for Law & Economic Justice; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services; Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; and Hawaii Association of Health Plans.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1546, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

CHRIS TODD, Chair