Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

Hawaii House Bill HCR173

Introduced

3/16/26

Refer

3/18/26

Refer

3/30/26

Report Pass

4/9/26

Engrossed

4/9/26

Refer

4/10/26

Report Pass

4/23/26

Passed

4/24/26

Caption

Urging Maui Health System To Collaborate With Stakeholders To Establish A Full-time Medical Residency Program On The Island Of Maui.

Impact

If enacted, HCR173 would not directly amend state laws but would influence the healthcare landscape by promoting collaborative efforts to mitigate physician shortages. The resolution highlights the need for Maui Health System to leverage federal funding from the recently awarded $188 million for the Rural Health Transformation Program. By establishing a residency program, Maui aims to train and retain healthcare professionals locally, aligning with the state's strategic goals for healthcare and ensuring sustainable medical services, especially in underserved areas.

Summary

HCR173, introduced in 2026, urges the Maui Health System to collaborate with various stakeholders to establish a full-time medical residency program on the island of Maui. The resolution addresses serious issues concerning healthcare access in Maui, which has been severely affected by a shortage of primary care physicians and specialists. This shortage is particularly acute following the devastating wildfires in 2023, which further diminished healthcare capacity. The Hawaii Physician Workforce Report of 2025 underscores a significant physician deficit in Maui, with critical shortages in primary care and specific specialties like geriatric medicine, demanding immediate action to support the community's medical needs.

Sentiment

The sentiment around HCR173 is generally positive, as various stakeholders, including healthcare providers and advocates, recognize the urgent need for improved healthcare access on the island. Supporters view the resolution as a critical step towards addressing significant gaps in the healthcare system, particularly regarding primary and specialty care. However, there may be underlying tensions related to resource allocation and the effective implementation of the proposed residency program, as financial and structural challenges could hinder the initiative's success.

Contention

While HCR173 has garnered support for its intentions, challenges may arise regarding the actual establishment and sustainability of the residency program. The resolution urges Maui Health System to secure various funding sources beyond the federal allocation, including state appropriations and philanthropic contributions, indicating potential contention over financial viability. Moreover, the collaboration between multiple stakeholders, including educational institutions and health centers, will require careful coordination to ensure that the residency program meets the community's unique needs while overcoming historical disparities in healthcare access.

Companion Bills

HI SCR27

Same As Urging Maui Health System To Collaborate With Stakeholders To Establish A Full-time Medical Residency Program On The Island Of Maui.

HI HR163

Same As Urging Maui Health To Collaborate With Stakeholders To Establish A Full-time Medical Residency Program On The Island Of Maui.

Previously Filed As

HI HCR161

Urging The City And County Of Honolulu, The County Of Maui, The County Of Hawaii, And The County Of Kauai To Establish Sister City Relationships With Other Pacific Island Municipalities.

HI HCR73

Urging The University Of Hawaii President And Board Of Regents To Establish A Bachelor Of Science In Nursing Program At The University Of Hawaii Maui Campus.

HI HR156

Urging The City And County Of Honolulu, The County Of Maui, The County Of Hawaii, And The County Of Kauai To Establish Sister City Relationships With Other Pacific Island Municipalities.

HI SCR50

Urging The University Of Hawaii President And Board Of Regents To Establish A Bachelor Of Science In Nursing Program At The University Of Hawaii Maui College.

HI HR66

Urging The University Of Hawaii President And Board Of Regents To Establish A Bachelor Of Science In Nursing Program At The University Of Hawaii Maui Campus.

HI HCR145

Urging The Department Of Education, Department Of Health, And Other Relevant Stakeholders To Collaborate And Develop A Strategic Plan To Prepare For Hawaii's Pursuit Of Funding For And Participation In The Centers For Disease Control And Prevention's Public Health Surveillance For Estimating Autism Prevalence.

HI SR32

Urging The University Of Hawaii President And Board Of Regents To Establish A Bachelor Of Science In Nursing Program At The University Of Hawaii Maui Campus.

HI HCR176

Supporting The Reactivation Of, And Urging The Governor To Appoint Members To, The Hawaii Health Authority To Plan For A Transition To A Maximally Cost-effective Single-payer Health Care System For The State, To Be Implemented As Soon As Possible After Waivers Have Been Obtained To Capture All Major Sources Of Federal Funding Flowing To The State Through Medicare, Medicaid, And Tricare.

HI HCR53

Urging The City And County Of Honolulu And Developers To Coordinate Their Infrastructure Plans And Collaborate With Stakeholders To Ensure Adequate Infrastructure Be In Place Prior To Building New Housing Developments.

HI HCR201

Requesting The Department Of Transportation And Department Of Transportation Of The County Of Maui To Collaborate With The Kihei Community Association In The Planning And Implementation Of The Kihei Mauka Road Project.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.