SB 1139: DHS; Medicaid Eligibility; Med-QUEST; Children; Rules; Appropriation
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: Senate
- Latest Version Date: 2026-02-10
Current Status:
Failed
(2026-02-11: Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.)
Introduced
In Committee
First Chamber
In Committee
Second Chamber
Final Decking
Enacted
What does this bill do?
Directs the Department of Human Services to expand Hawaii's Medicaid program (Med-QUEST) to cover all children from birth through age five with no household income test. It also provides state funding to pay for implementing the expansion.
The summary is provided by generative AI which can make mistakes. For original language, please view the details in the table below.
Directs the Department of Human Services to adopt rules to expand Medicaid eligibility to all children in the State from birth to age 5 without regard to household income. Appropriates funds. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)
Directs the Department of Human Services to adopt rules to expand Medicaid eligibility to all children in the State from birth to age 5 years without regard to household income. Appropriates moneys.
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
1139 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO MEDICAID.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for expanding eligibility for the State's medicaid programs to all children in the State from birth to age five years.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on December 31, 2050.
Report Title:
DHS; Medicaid Eligibility; Med-QUEST; Children; Rules; Appropriation
Description:
Directs the Department of Human Services to adopt rules to expand Medicaid eligibility to all children in the State from birth to age 5 without regard to household income. Appropriates funds. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)
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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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
1139 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to medicaid.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $317,000,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for expanding eligibility for the State's medicaid programs to all children in the State from birth to age five years.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Medicaid Eligibility; Med-QUEST; Children; DHS; Appropriation
Description:
Directs the Department of Human Services to adopt rules to expand Medicaid eligibility to all children in the State from birth to age 5 years without regard to household income. Appropriates moneys.
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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| Feb 11, 2026 | Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. |
| Feb 11, 2026 | Reported from HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2164) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM. |
| Jan 28, 2026 | The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HHS were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, McKelvey, Kanuha, Keohokalole, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none. |
| Jan 23, 2026 | The committee(s) on HHS has scheduled a public hearing on 01-28-26 1:30PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference. |
| Dec 8, 2025 | Carried over to 2026 Regular Session. |
| Jan 23, 2025 | Referred to HHS, WAM. |
| Jan 21, 2025 | Passed First Reading. |
| Jan 17, 2025 | Introduced. |
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Date
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Description
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Location
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Votes
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| Jan 28, 2026 | The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | Senate Standing Committee on Health and Human Services |
Passed |
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.
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Organization
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Position
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Date
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| AlohaCare | *** Support | Jan 28, 2026 |
| AlohaCare | ** Support | |
| Hawaii Medical Association | ** Support | |
| Hawaii Disability Rights Center | ** Support | |
| Hawaiʻi Children's Action Network Speaks! | ** Support | |
| Libertarian Party of Hawaii | ** Against | |
| State Health Planning and Development Agency | ** Support |
STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2164
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: S.B. No. 1139
S.D. 1
Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi
President of the Senate
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2026
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 1139 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MEDICAID,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to direct the Department of Human Services to adopt rules to expand Medicaid eligibility to all children in the State from birth to age five years without regard to household income.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the State Health Planning and Development Agency, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, AlohaCare, Hawaii Medical Association, Hawaiʻi Children's Action Network Speaks!, and two individuals.
Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Libertarian Party of Hawaii and one individual.
Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Human Services and Executive Office on Early Learning.
Your Committee finds that early access to health care is essential for the healthy growth and development of children. Your Committee further finds that expanding Medicaid eligibility to all children from birth to age five, without regard to household income, will ensure that every child in the State can receive necessary preventive and primary care. This measure will promote health equity, reduce disparities, and support families in giving their children a healthy start.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Changing the appropriation amount from $317,000,000 to an unspecified amount to encourage further discussion;
(2) Updating the fiscal year to reflect the current legislative session; and
(3) Inserting an effective date of December 31, 2050, to encourage further discussion.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1139, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1139, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health and Human Services,
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________________________________ JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair |
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Date
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Testimony PDF
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| Jan 28, 2026 | SB1139_TESTIMONY_HHS_01-28-26_.PDF |
Discussed in Hearing
2MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Health and Human Services
Bill Author
