STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3169

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1965

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 1965, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PRIMARY CARE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Establish the Primary Care Providers Working Group within the State Health Planning and Development Agency to address issues relating to, and develop recommendations for the stabilization of, primary care services in Hawaii; and

(2) Require the Working Group to submit a report to the Legislature.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Human Services; State Health Planning and Development Agency; Hawaii Healthcare Task Force; AARP Hawaiʻi; Mohala Health; Hawaii Association of Health Plans; Hawaii Medical Service Association; ʻAhahui o nā Kauka; Hawaiʻi Primary Care Association; American Academy of Pediatrics, Hawaii Chapter; Kuakini Health System; Maui County Healthcare Partnership; Hawaii Medical Association; and eight individuals.

Your Committee finds that primary care providers play an essential role in the State's health care system, serving as the foundation for prevention, early diagnosis, chronic disease management, and whole-person care. Your Committee further finds that continued investment in primary care is vital to improving access, strengthening care coordination, and maintaining a robust and high-quality provider network across the State. This measure ensures robust dialogue among a wide range of health care stakeholders to support the development of primary care policies that are balanced, sustainable, and focused on improving the health and well-being of the State's communities.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Inserting an effective date of January 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

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

Your Committee notes the appropriation request in the testimony of the State Health Planning and Development Agency to facilitate the Primary Care Providers Working Group. Should your Committee on Ways and Means choose to deliberate on this measure, your Committee respectfully requests that it consider inserting an appropriation amount of $100,000 for the State Health Planning and Development Agency to hire part-time staff and cover data acquisition costs to ensure the Working Group's completion of its duties.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1965, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1965, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health and Human Services,

________________________________

JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair