HI HB2544

Establishes a 2-year essential rural medical air transport pilot project within the Department of Health to charter flights from rural islands to urban islands for medical care access.

Allows insurance companies to reserve and pay for seats on chartered flights for insured individuals and their companions traveling from rural islands to urban islands for medical services.

Requires the department to seek reimbursement from insurers to the maximum extent possible and attempt to offer at least a specified number of roundtrip flights per week, subject to available funds and demand.

Requires the Department of Health to submit a report to the legislature by 20 days before the 2026 regular session containing project expenses, revenues, seat sales data, and recommendations on whether to extend, amend, make permanent, or terminate the program.

Pilot project sunsets on June 30, 2026; appropriates funds from general revenues for fiscal year 2024-2025 and declares the expenditure ceiling will be exceeded.