Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

Hawaii Senate Bill SR24

Introduced

3/5/26

Refer

3/19/26

Report Pass

4/8/26

Passed

4/9/26

Caption

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

Impact

The bill seeks to use available federal funding from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ Rural Health Transformation Program, amounting to over $188 million, to support the establishment of the residency program. This funding has been specifically allocated to improve healthcare access in rural areas through the expansion of training sites and the recruitment of health professionals. Furthermore, aligning the program with the strategic goals outlined in the Hawaii Rural Health Transformation Plan amplifies its relevance and potential impact on healthcare delivery in underserved communities.

Summary

Senate Resolution 24 urges the Maui Health System to collaborate with essential stakeholders in establishing a full-time medical residency program on the island of Maui. This initiative is a response to a significant shortage of primary care physicians and specialists within Hawaii, which has been particularly exacerbated in Maui due to the destruction of healthcare facilities in the 2023 wildfires. The state faces a 41% physician shortage in Maui, highlighting the urgent need for a dedicated residency program focused on family and internal medicine to support community healthcare needs.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SR24 is largely supportive due to the recognition of overwhelming healthcare disparities in Maui. Stakeholders, including healthcare providers and local lawmakers, see this initiative as a critical measure for improving healthcare access and addressing the physician shortfall. However, concerns about funding sustainability and the urgency of establishing the residency program reflect ongoing discussions about healthcare equity in rural areas.

Contention

A notable point of contention is the reliance on federal funding and the collaborative framework that involves multiple stakeholders, including the John A. Burns School of Medicine and various health centers on Maui. While the immediate financial support may alleviate initial setup costs, questions remain regarding the long-term sustainability of the residency program and its alignment with the changing healthcare landscape in Hawaii. The resolution also raises the need for a comprehensive report on implementation progress, ensuring accountability and transparency in this significant healthcare initiative.

Latest HI SR24 Activity

View All Events: HI 2026 Regular Session SR24

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 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 SR43

Requesting The Department Of Land And Natural Resources To Partner With The Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission To Collaboratively Improve And Facilitate The Continued Repair, Rehabilitation, And Redevelopment Of The Kihei Ramp.

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 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 SR131

Urging The Department Of Land And Natural Resources To Establish A Program That Enhances Accessibility And Recreational Opportunities In State Park Wilderness, Trails, And Facilities Within The County Of Maui.

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 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 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 SR67

Urging The County Of Maui, In Conjunction With The Maui Emergency Management Agency, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, And Department Of Defense, To Conduct Real-time Wildfire And Other Disaster Drills Involving The Maui Community.

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.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.