SB 2285 Summary

• Amends Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 323D-2 to define "health care" as services for prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and amelioration of disease and impairment, including oral health, behavioral health, and long-term care.

• Revises the State Health Planning and Development Agency's principal function from promoting accessibility to quality health care at reasonable cost to promoting universal access to high-quality, equitable, and affordable health care.

• Requires the agency to establish a state health services, workforce, and facilities plan updated every four years and submit the initial plan to the legislature by 20 days before the 2026 regular session.

• Establishes the "Hui Ho'omana," a task force with 14 core members from state agencies and educational institutions plus invited participants, to develop a comprehensive plan for universal access to equitable and affordable health care; the task force shall submit a preliminary report by 2025 and final report by 2026, then dissolve July 1, 2026.

• Appropriates unspecified general revenue funds for fiscal year 2024-2025 to establish eight full-time equivalent positions within the agency, including health planners, data specialists, and county liaisons.