HR 146 Summary

• Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs is requested to establish a Pharmacy Reimbursement Working Group to study mandatory health insurance coverage and payment for pharmacist-provided health care services.

• Working Group membership includes the Insurance Commissioner, one Board of Pharmacy representative, two retail pharmacy representatives, one independent pharmacists' association representative, and two health insurance industry representatives.

• Working Group must meet regularly to gather information on pharmacy reimbursement practices, examine impacts on access to care, and draft proposed legislation requiring health insurers to cover and fairly reimburse licensed pharmacists for services within their scope of practice under Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 461.

• Working Group is requested to evaluate pharmacist services in other jurisdictions and assess their potential impact on preventative care services in Hawaii.

• Written report with findings, recommendations, and proposed legislation must be submitted to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the 2026 Regular Session convenes.