HB 1279 Summary

• Establishes a full-time medical education liaison position within the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine to support specialty care programs in underserved areas.

• Liaison responsibilities include organizing statewide sessions, coordinating communications between healthcare providers and specialists, developing expansion strategies, collecting outcome data, and supporting program operations.

• Appropriates funds (amount not specified in bill) for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to support the medical education liaison position at the University of Hawaii.

• Appropriates $200,000 for each of fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to support programs that use teams of medical specialists to mentor primary care providers and other healthcare professionals.

• Act takes effect July 1, 2025, addressing gaps in specialty care services including endocrinology, rheumatology, gastroenterology, and behavioral health in rural and remote areas.