STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1069-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1898

H.D. 2

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 1898, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to clarify that the Department of Health is to presume the recommendations by the American Academy of Pediatrics and Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the United States Department of Health and Human Services both constitute the prevailing medical standard for child health supervision services for purposes of health insurance coverage.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State Health Planning and Development Agency; Hep Free Hawaii; Healthcare Association of Hawaii; American Academy of Pediatrics, Hawaii Chapter; Hawaiʻi Health & Harm Reduction Center; and three individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from four individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Department of the Attorney General; Department of Health; Hawaii Medical Service Association; Hawaii Medical Association; and one individual.

Your Committee finds that recent changes to national immunization recommendations have created uncertainty for Hawaii families, providers, and insurers regarding which pediatric vaccination schedules constitute the prevailing medical standard for purposes of coverage. This lack of clarity could result in inconsistent coverage determinations, confusion about preventive care expectations, and diminished confidence in the delivery of child health supervision services. Your Committee further finds that additional steps may be taken to reduce barriers and improve access to science‑based clinical preventive services for individuals who choose to receive them.

Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Providing immunity for health care professionals who provide clinical preventive services in accordance with recommendations by the Department of Health;

(2) Requiring, beginning January 1, 2027, health insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations to provide coverage for clinical preventive services recommended by the Department of Health;

(3) Authorizing the Department of Health to:

(A) Make recommendations regarding clinical preventive services; and

(B) Issue standing orders for medications and immunizations;

(4) Specifying that, for coverage of child health supervision services, the prevailing medical standards mean the recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the United States Department of Health and Human Services and the American Academy of Pediatrics, or the recommendations of the Department of Health;

(5) Prohibiting denial of coverage and prior authorization for clinical preventive services based on medical necessity;

(6) Clarifying that a registered pharmacist may order vaccines in accordance with Department of Health recommendations;

(7) Exempting this measure from the requirement for an impact assessment report conducted by the Auditor on proposed mandatory health insurance coverage;

(8) Specifying that the new and amended coverage requirements apply to all health benefits plans under the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund issued from January 1, 2027;

(9) Inserting a savings clause;

(10) Inserting a severability clause in the event a provision of this measure is determined to trigger a cost to the State under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010; and

(11) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1898, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1898, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

SCOT Z. MATAYOSHI, Chair