STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2164

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1139

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 S.B. No. 1139 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MEDICAID,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to direct the Department of Human Services to adopt rules to expand Medicaid eligibility to all children in the State from birth to age five years without regard to household income.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State Health Planning and Development Agency, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, AlohaCare, Hawaii Medical Association, Hawaiʻi Children's Action Network Speaks!, and two individuals.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Libertarian Party of Hawaii and one individual.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services and Executive Office on Early Learning.

Your Committee finds that early access to health care is essential for the healthy growth and development of children. Your Committee further finds that expanding Medicaid eligibility to all children from birth to age five, without regard to household income, will ensure that every child in the State can receive necessary preventive and primary care. This measure will promote health equity, reduce disparities, and support families in giving their children a healthy start.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the appropriation amount from $317,000,000 to an unspecified amount to encourage further discussion;

(2) Updating the fiscal year to reflect the current legislative session; and

(3) Inserting an effective date of December 31, 2050, to encourage further discussion.

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 S.B. No. 1139, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1139, 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