HI HR19

Hawaii Department of Health is requested to convene a Hospice Working Group to examine trends and regulations in the hospice industry, with a report due 20 days before the 2027 legislative session.

Working group membership includes representatives from the Department of Health, State Health Planning and Development Agency, Med-QUEST Division, Executive Office on Aging, and five hospice organizations operating in Hawaii since before 2000.

The group will study national and state hospice industry trends, examine existing Hawaii hospice regulations, and recommend regulatory changes to ensure quality care while meeting demand in rural and underserved communities.

Hawaii currently has only 13 hospices statewide, and projections show one in four Hawaii residents will be 60 or older by 2035, creating urgency to strengthen the healthcare system.

The working group is requested to dissolve on June 30, 2027.