STAND. COM. REP. NO. 269

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1245

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 1245 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PHARMACISTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to, beginning January 1, 2026, mandate reimbursement for services provided by pharmacists practicing within their scope of practice by private and public health plans in the State.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the University of Hawaiʻi System; Indivisible Hawaii; Hawai‘i Primary Care Association; Hawai‘i Pacific Health; American Pharmacists Association; American Society of Health-System Pharmacists; KTA Super Stores; Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, Inc.; Democratic Party of Hawai‘i; KTA Pharmacy; Walgreens Co.; Molokaʻi Drugs, Inc.; Big Island Docs; Hawaiʻi Pharmacists Association; Times Pharmacy; National Community Pharmacists Association; and thirty-two individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services, Insurance Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Office of the Auditor, The Queen's Health System, Kaiser Permanente Hawaii, Hawaii Medical Service Association, Hawaii Association of Health Plans, and Keto Prescription Clinic.

Your Committee finds that according to the federal Health Resources and Services Administration, each county in the State contains a region that is a medically underserved area, as defined by the Public Health Service Act of 1944, Public Law 78-410. Your Committee further finds that pharmacists can help bridge the gaps created by the physician shortage. This measure provides greater access to health care services delivered by pharmacists, particularly for the State's neighbor island patients.

Your Committee notes the concerns raised in testimony regarding the lack of clarity in the eligibility criteria for pharmacists to receive reimbursements from insurers. Specifically, the proposed language in this measure can be misconstrued as requiring the insurers to pay all licensed pharmacists, including those who do not have a contract with the insurer.

Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Deleting language that would have required each individual or group policy of accident and health or sickness insurance delivered or issued for delivery in this State after December 31, 2025, to recognize pharmacists licensed pursuant to chapter 461 as participating providers;

(2) Inserting an effective date of December 31, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

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

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. 1245, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1245, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection.

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

________________________________

JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair