Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

Hawaii House Bill HCR6

Introduced
1/23/26  
Refer
3/10/26  
Report Pass
4/1/26  
Engrossed
4/1/26  

Caption

Affirming And Supporting The Requirement That Hospitals Provide Life-saving Emergency Care To Pregnant People, Including Reproductive And Abortion Services, When Such Care Is Medically Necessary To Stabilize A Patient Under The Emergency Medical Treatment And Active Labor Act.

Impact

The passage of HCR6 is set to clarify and strengthen the legal expectations for hospitals in Hawaii about the provision of reproductive health services, especially in emergencies involving pregnant patients. By urging hospitals, irrespective of religious affiliations, to comply with these standards, the resolution aims to mitigate confusion surrounding the application of EMTALA, particularly in light of inconsistent federal guidance on abortion care. This initiative may also help to enhance the accountability of healthcare providers in providing timely and essential medical attention to those in critical need.

Summary

House Concurrent Resolution 6 (HCR6) emphasizes the necessity for hospitals to provide critical emergency care to pregnant individuals, which includes reproductive and abortion services when medically necessary. This resolution supports the interpretation of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) that mandates hospitals that receive Medicare funding to offer emergency treatment, regardless of patients' ability to pay. HCR6 serves to affirm Hawaii's commitment to ensuring that all necessary medical care is available to pregnant patients in emergencies, reinforcing existing standards of care related to pregnancy.

Contention

Despite the underlying goal of protecting health and rights, HCR6 may face opposition from entities that oppose abortion on ethical or religious grounds. Some hospitals, especially those affiliated with religious organizations, might express concerns over being mandated to provide services that conflict with their beliefs. Nevertheless, the resolution argues that failure to provide abortion care when medically necessary can result in serious health risks, which adds a layer of urgency to its adoption. This tension between religious beliefs and medical obligations may stir debate within state-level discussions and public opinion.

Companion Bills

HI HR5

Same As Affirming And Supporting The Requirement That Hospitals Provide Life-saving Emergency Care To Pregnant People, Including Reproductive And Abortion Services, When Such Care Is Medically Necessary To Stabilize A Patient Under The Emergency Medical Treatment And Active Labor Act.

HI SCR7

Same As Affirming And Supporting The Requirement That Hospitals Provide Life-saving Emergency Care To Pregnant People, Including Reproductive And Abortion Services, When Such Care Is Medically Necessary To Stabilize A Patient Under The Emergency Medical Treatment And Active Labor Act.

Previously Filed As

HI HB1179

Relating To Rural Emergency Hospitals.

HI SB866

Relating To Emergency Medical Services.

HI SB556

Relating To Rural Emergency Hospitals.

HI HCR144

Requesting The Attorney General To Investigate Whether Crisis Pregnancy Centers Operating In The State Are Complying With Patient Privacy Regulations.

HI HB1106

Relating To The State Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee.

HI SB1425

Relating To The State Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee.

HI HCR202

Strongly Supporting And Recommending The Implementation Of The Revised 2025 Hawaii Patient Bill Of Rights.

HI HCR109

Supporting Free And Responsible Scholastic Journalism And Actively Supporting And Honoring The First Amendment Of The United States Constitution In Student Publications.

HI HR138

Requesting The Attorney General To Investigate Whether Crisis Pregnancy Centers Operating In The State Are Complying With Patient Privacy Regulations.

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.

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