Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

Hawaii Senate Bill SR21

Introduced

2/24/26

Refer

3/19/26

Caption

Supporting The Governor's Decision To Join The West Coast Health Alliance To Guide Public Health Decisions.

Impact

The resolution notes that Hawaii's high vaccination rates have contributed to low mortality rates from infectious diseases, reflecting a strong public trust in science and collective responsibility for health outcomes. However, it also recognizes current challenges within the state's healthcare system, such as workforce shortages and disparities in resources across islands, which can impact public health strategy implementation and response to emerging threats.

Summary

Senate Resolution 21 (SR21) expresses support for the Governor's decision to join the West Coast Health Alliance. This resolution acknowledges the historical commitment of the State to protecting the health and safety of its residents through evidence-based policies and equitable access to healthcare. It emphasizes the importance of vaccines as effective public health tools that minimize serious illness and ease the strain on the healthcare system by reducing community transmission of infectious diseases.

Contention

The participation in the West Coast Health Alliance is framed as a collaborative platform for states to share scientific data and strategies, ultimately aiming to develop coordinated responses to health crises. This collaboration reinforces public confidence in healthcare institutions and vaccine directives. The resolution commits the State to ongoing support for public health policies that leverage current scientific consensus from trusted medical organizations, promoting transparency and effective communication in public health matters.

Companion Bills

HI SCR24

Same As Supporting The Governor's Decision To Join The West Coast Health Alliance To Guide Public Health Decisions.

Previously Filed As

HI SR161

Supporting The Reactivation Of The Hawaii Health Authority With Statutory Mandates That Specifically Include The Transition Of The State's Health Insurance Payment System Into A Single-payer Health Care System.

HI SR150

Requesting The Department Of Transportation To Share Information On The Safety And Performance Of Commercial Tour Operators To Help Residents And Visitors Make Informed Decisions.

HI SR109

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 SR12

Requesting The Department Of Health To Convene A Task Force To Identify And Develop Minimum Professional Standards For Community Health Worker Training Programs.

HI SCR201

HI HR214

Honoring The Recipients Of The 2024 Healthcare Association Of Hawaii Healthcare Heroes Award.

HI HB303

Relating To Healthcare Preceptors.

HI HCR173

Urging The Department Of Health To Undertake Preliminary Education, Outreach, And Vaccination Drive Efforts At Schools In Hawaii With Vaccination Rates Under Thirty Percent, Beginning At The Start Of The 2025-2026 School Year, In Partnership With Community Health Centers And Other Local Healthcare Providers.

HI SCR180

Requesting The Department Of Transportation To Share Information On The Safety And Performance Of Helicopter And Air Tour Operators To Help Residents And Visitors Make Informed Decisions.

HI SR76

Urging The Governor, Mayors Of Each County, And The State To Work Towards A Just Climate Future By Integrating Indigenous Knowledge Into Policy And Decision-making Processes Related To Climate Adaptation, Climate Mitigation, And Climate Resiliency.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.