HB 1744: DHS; Med-QUEST; Medicaid State Plan; Naturopathic Medicine
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: House
- Latest Version Date: 2026-01-21
Current Status:
Failed
(2026-01-26: Referred to HSH/HLT, FIN, referral sheet 1)
Introduced
In Committee
First Chamber
In Committee
Second Chamber
Final Decking
Enacted
What does this bill do?
The bill would require Hawaii’s Medicaid program to cover naturopathic medicine, allowing naturopathic physicians licensed in the state to serve as a Medicaid patient’s primary care provider. It would also require Medicaid to reimburse naturopathic services—such as exams, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and ongoing care—at rates and under terms comparable to medical doctors, and make related changes to eligibility and provider rules.
The summary is provided by generative AI which can make mistakes. For original language, please view the details in the table below.
Requires the Department of Human Services to amend the Hawaii Medicaid State Plan or request approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for an amendment under the Medicaid State Plan to include naturopathic medicine.
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1744 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to NATUROPATHIC medicine.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. (a) No later September 1, 2026, The department of human services shall:
(1) Amend the Hawaii medicaid state plan; or
(2) Request approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for an amendment under the medicaid state plan,
to include coverage for naturopathic medicine under chapter 455, Hawaii Revised Statutes.
(b) The amendments shall:
(1) Authorize patients to select a naturopathic physician licensed under chapter 455, Hawaii Revised Statutes to serve as the patient's primary care provider;
(2) Ensure that the appropriate medical fee schedule shall reimburse naturopathic medical services at rates and under terms comparable to reimbursements for the practice of medicine under chapter 453, Hawaii Revised Statutes, including services for evaluation, diagnosis, treatment, preventive care, and the ongoing management of patient health consistent with existing primary care standards; and
(3) Include additional conforming amendments to eligibility, provider participation, and reimbursement provisions, if applicable.
SECTION 2. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
DHS; Med-QUEST; Medicaid State Plan; Naturopathic Medicine
Description:
Requires the Department of Human Services to amend the Hawaii Medicaid State Plan or request approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for an amendment under the Medicaid State Plan to include naturopathic medicine.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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Date
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Status
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| Jan 26, 2026 | Referred to HSH/HLT, FIN, referral sheet 1 |
| Jan 22, 2026 | Introduced and Pass First Reading. |
| Jan 21, 2026 | Pending introduction. |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
Bill Author
Bill Co-Author(s):
