SB 299: Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program; Appropriation
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: Senate
- Latest Version Date: 2025-03-20
Current Status:
Failed
(2026-04-02: Received notice of the discharge of all House Conferees (Hse. Com. No. 457).)
Introduced
In Committee
First Chamber
In Committee
Second Chamber
Final Decking
Enacted
Appropriates funds for the Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Appropriates funds for the Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD2)
Appropriates funds for the Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD1)
Appropriates funds for the Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program.
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
299 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
S.D. 2 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
H.D. 1 |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO LOAN REPAYMENT FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that a persistent workforce shortage in the health care industry has created difficulties for patients trying to access care, including specialized care such as behavioral health services. One of the reasons that providers often cite for the difficulty of practicing in Hawaii is financial hardship, with the high cost of living frequently driving providers to leave the State.
The legislature further finds that in 2023, the legislature appropriated a total of $30,000,000 over fiscal years 2024 and 2025 to fund the healthcare education loan repayment program, which assists health care professionals in Hawaii in repaying their health care educational loans in exchange for medical service in Hawaii. By all accounts, the program has been extremely successful, helping to improve the lives of health care professionals in the State and making it easier for them to remain and practice in Hawaii.
The legislature also finds that since its implementation, eight hundred ninety residents have been assisted by the healthcare education loan repayment program, which allocated nearly $13,000,000 in 2023. Of the eight hundred ninety recipients, two hundred thirty-eight were primary care providers, and two hundred fifty were behavioral health specialists. The categories of health care providers who were awarded loan repayment assistance are diverse and include case managers, certified nurse assistants, social workers, registered nurses, and physicians.
In addition, the legislature finds that while the healthcare education loan repayment program has significantly benefited those who received loan repayment assistance, there are still large numbers of health care providers who have not yet received relief, including more than one thousand three hundred who are currently on the waitlist. The legislature additionally finds that it would be in the best interest of the State to continue to fund this transformative program to help address continuing shortages in the health care industry.
Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the healthcare education loan repayment program to continue to provide loan repayment assistance to health care workers in Hawaii and incentivize service and healthcare providers to practice in 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 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the healthcare education loan repayment program; provided that to qualify for a loan repayment using funds appropriated in this Act, an applicant for loan repayment assistance shall commit to not less than two years of full‑time service in the State.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.
Report Title:
Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates funds for the Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
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. |
299 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
S.D. 2 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO LOAN REPAYMENT FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that a persistent workforce shortage in the health care industry has created difficulties for patients trying to access care, including specialized care such as behavioral health services. One of the reasons that providers often cite for the difficulty of practicing in Hawaii is financial hardship, with the high cost of living frequently driving providers to leave the State.
The legislature further finds that in 2023, the legislature appropriated a total of $30,000,000 over fiscal years 2024 and 2025 to fund the healthcare education loan repayment program, which assists health care professionals in Hawaii in repaying their health care educational loans in exchange for medical service in Hawaii. By all accounts, the program has been extremely successful, helping to improve the lives of health care professionals in the State and making it easier for them to remain and practice in Hawaii.
The legislature also finds that eight hundred ninety residents were assisted by the healthcare education loan repayment program, which allocated nearly $13,000,000 in 2023. Of the eight hundred ninety recipients, two hundred thirty-eight were primary care providers, and two hundred fifty were behavioral health specialists. The categories of health care providers who were awarded loan repayment assistance are diverse and include case managers, certified nurse assistants, social workers, registered nurses, and physicians.
In addition, the legislature finds that while the healthcare education loan repayment program has significantly benefited those who received loan repayment assistance, there are still large numbers of health care providers who have not yet received relief, including more than one thousand three hundred who are currently on the waitlist. The legislature additionally finds that it would be in the best interest of the State to continue to fund this transformative program to help address continuing shortages in the health care industry.
Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the healthcare education loan repayment program to continue to provide loan repayment assistance to health care workers in Hawaii and incentivize service and healthcare providers to practice in 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 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the healthcare education loan repayment program; provided that to qualify for a loan repayment using funds appropriated in this Act, an applicant for loan repayment assistance shall commit to not less than years of full‑time service in the State.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on December 31, 2050.
Report Title:
Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program; Appropriations
Description:
Appropriates funds for the Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD2)
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. |
299 |
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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 LOAN REPAYMENT FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that a persistent workforce shortage in the health care industry has created difficulties for patients trying to access care, including specialized care such as behavioral health services. One of the reasons that providers often cite for the difficulty of practicing in Hawaii is financial hardship, with the high cost of living frequently driving providers to leave the State.
The legislature further finds that in 2023, the legislature appropriated a total of $30,000,000 over fiscal years 2024 and 2025 to fund the healthcare education loan repayment program, which assists health care professionals in Hawaii in repaying their health care educational loans in exchange for medical service in Hawaii. By all accounts, the program has been extremely successful, helping to improve the lives of health care professionals in the State and making it easier for them to remain and practice in Hawaii.
The legislature also finds that eight hundred ninety residents were assisted by the healthcare education loan repayment program, which allocated nearly $13,000,000 in 2023. Of the eight hundred ninety recipients, two hundred thirty-eight were primary care providers, and two hundred fifty were behavioral health specialists. The categories of health care providers who were awarded loan repayment assistance are diverse and include case managers, certified nurse assistants, social workers, registered nurses, and physicians.
In addition, the legislature finds that while the healthcare education loan repayment program has significantly benefited those who received loan repayment assistance, there are still large numbers of health care providers who have not yet received relief, including more than one thousand three hundred who are currently on the waitlist. The legislature additionally finds that it would be in the best interest of the State to continue to fund this transformative program to help address continuing shortages in the health care industry.
Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the healthcare education loan repayment program to continue to provide loan repayment assistance to health care workers in 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 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for the healthcare education loan repayment program.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on December 31, 2050.
Report Title:
Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program; Appropriations
Description:
Appropriates funds for the Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program. 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. |
299 |
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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 loan repayment for healthcare professionals.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that a persistent workforce shortage in the health care industry has created difficulties for patients trying to access care, including specialized care such as behavioral health services. One of the reasons that providers often cite for the difficulty of practicing in Hawaii is financial hardship, with the high cost of living frequently driving providers to leave the State.
The legislature further finds that in 2023, the legislature appropriated a total of $30,000,000 over fiscal years 2024 and 2025 to fund the healthcare education loan repayment program, which assists health care professionals in Hawaii in repaying their health care educational loans in exchange for medical service in Hawaii. By all accounts, the program has been extremely successful, helping to improve the lives of health care professionals in the State and making it easier for them to remain and practice in Hawaii.
The legislature also finds that eight hundred ninety residents were assisted by the healthcare education loan repayment program, which allocated nearly $13,000,000 in 2023. Of the eight hundred ninety recipients, two hundred thirty-eight were primary care providers, and two hundred fifty were behavioral health specialists. The categories of health care providers who were awarded loan repayment assistance are diverse and include case managers, certified nurse assistants, social workers, registered nurses, and physicians.
In addition, the legislature finds that while the healthcare education loan repayment program has significantly benefited those who received loan repayment assistance, there are still large numbers of health care providers who have not yet received relief, including more than one thousand three hundred who are currently on the waitlist. The legislature additionally finds that it would be in the best interest of the State to continue to fund this transformative program to help address continuing shortages in the health care industry.
Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the healthcare education loan repayment program to continue to provide loan repayment assistance to health care workers in Hawaii.
SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $15,000,000 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 the healthcare education loan repayment program.
The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of health 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:
Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates funds for the Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program.
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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|---|---|
| Apr 2, 2026 | Received notice of the discharge of all House Conferees (Hse. Com. No. 457). |
| Apr 1, 2026 | House Conferee(s) discharged. |
| Mar 20, 2026 | Received notice of all Senate conferees being discharged (Sen. Com. No. 409). |
| Mar 20, 2026 | Senate Conferee(s) discharged. |
| Dec 8, 2025 | Carried over to 2026 Regular Session. |
| Apr 22, 2025 | Conference committee meeting scheduled for 04-23-25 3:30PM; Conference Room 329. |
| Apr 15, 2025 | Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 789). |
| Apr 15, 2025 | Senate Conferees Appointed: San Buenaventura Chair; Kim Co-Chair; Hashimoto, Fevella. |
| Apr 15, 2025 | Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 731). |
| Apr 14, 2025 | House Conferees Appointed: Takayama, Keohokapu-Lee Loy Co-Chairs; Alcos. |
| Apr 8, 2025 | Received notice of disagreement (Sen. Com. No. 774). |
| Apr 8, 2025 | Senate disagrees with House amendments. |
| Apr 8, 2025 | Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 574). |
| Apr 4, 2025 | Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Cochran, Kapela excused (2). Transmitted to Senate. |
| Apr 4, 2025 | Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1958), recommending passage on Third Reading. |
| Apr 1, 2025 | The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 14 Ayes: Representative(s) Yamashita, Takenouchi, Grandinetti, Holt, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lamosao, Lee, M., Miyake, Morikawa, Templo, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Alcos. |
| Mar 28, 2025 | Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Tuesday, 04-01-25 2:00PM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Mar 21, 2025 | Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Cochran, Garrett, Kapela, Kitagawa, Ward excused (5). |
| Mar 21, 2025 | Reported from HLT (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1420) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN. |
| Mar 19, 2025 | The committee on HLT recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Takayama, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Amato, Chun, Marten, Olds, Takenouchi, Alcos, Garcia; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none. |
| Mar 14, 2025 | Bill scheduled to be heard by HLT on Wednesday, 03-19-25 9:05AM in House conference room 329 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Mar 6, 2025 | Referred to HLT, FIN, referral sheet 19 |
| Mar 6, 2025 | Pass First Reading |
| Mar 4, 2025 | Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 125) in amended form (SD 2). |
| Mar 4, 2025 | Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House. |
| Feb 28, 2025 | 48 Hrs. Notice 03-04-25. |
| Feb 28, 2025 | Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 917) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). |
| Feb 26, 2025 | The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WAM were as follows: 13 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, Aquino, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none. |
| Feb 24, 2025 | The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 02-26-25 10:04AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference. |
| Feb 14, 2025 | Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. |
| Feb 14, 2025 | Reported from HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 594) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM. |
| Feb 12, 2025 | 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, Aquino, Hashimoto, Keohokalole, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none. |
| Feb 10, 2025 | The committee(s) on HHS deferred the measure until 02-12-25 1:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference. |
| Feb 4, 2025 | The committee(s) on HHS has scheduled a public hearing on 02-10-25 1:20PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference. |
| Jan 21, 2025 | Referred to HHS, WAM. |
| Jan 15, 2025 | Introduced and passed First Reading. |
| Jan 14, 2025 | Pending Introduction. |
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Date
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Description
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Location
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Votes
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| Apr 4, 2025 | Third Reading | House Floor |
Passed |
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| Apr 1, 2025 | The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED | House Standing Committee on Finance |
Passed |
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| Mar 19, 2025 | The committee on HLT recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | House Standing Committee on Health |
Passed |
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| Mar 4, 2025 | Third Reading | Senate Floor |
Passed |
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| Feb 26, 2025 | The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | Senate Standing Committee on Ways and Means |
Passed |
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| Feb 12, 2025 | 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 | |
| AlohaCare | *** Support | Apr 1, 2025 |
| American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Hawai‘i Section | *** Support | Feb 26, 2025 |
| Democratic Party of Hawaii | ** Support | |
| Department of Health | ** Support | |
| Department of Health | *** Support | Apr 1, 2025 |
| Executive Chambers | *** Support | Feb 26, 2025 |
| Fresenius Kidney Care | *** Support | Apr 1, 2025 |
| Hawaii Association of Health Plans | ** Support | |
| Hawaii Dental Association | ** Support | |
| Hawaii Dental Service | ** Support | |
| Hawaii Medical Association | ** Support | |
| Hawaii Medical Service Association | ** Support | |
| Hawaii Medical Service Association | ** Support | |
| Hawaii Primary Care Association | ** Support | |
| Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition | ** Support | |
| Hawaii Nurses' Association OPEIU Local 50 | ** Support | |
| Hawaii Pacific Health | ** Support | |
| Hawaii State Center for Nursing | ** Support | |
| Hawaii-American Nurses Association | ** Support | |
| Hawai‘i/Pacific Basin Area Health Education Center (AHEC) | *** Support | Feb 10, 2025 |
| Healthcare Association of Hawaii | ** Support | |
| John A. Burns School of Medicine | *** Support | Apr 1, 2025 |
| Kaiser Permanente Hawaii | ** Support | |
| Liberty Dialysis Hawaii | ** Support | |
| Office of Hawaiian Affairs | ** Support | |
| Office of the Governor | *** Support | Apr 1, 2025 |
| Office of the Governor | ** Support | |
| State Council on Mental Health | ** Support | |
| State Health Planning and Development Agency | ** Support | |
| The Queen's Health Systems | ** Support | |
| University of Hawaii System | ** Support | |
| University of Hawaii at Mānoa John A. Burns School of Medicine | ** Support |
STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1958
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2025
RE: S.B. No. 299
S.D. 2
H.D. 1
Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2025
State of Hawaii
Madame:
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 299, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LOAN REPAYMENT FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS,"
begs leave to report as follows:
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health; Office of Hawaiian Affairs; University of Hawaii System; Hawaii State Center for Nursing; State Council on Mental Health; Healthcare Association of Hawaii; Hawaii Pacific Health; AlohaCare; Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition; Hawaii Primary Care Association; Liberty Dialysis Hawaii; Democratic Party of Hawaii; The Queen's Health Systems; Hawaii Association of Health Plans; Hawaii Dental Service; Kaiser Permanente Hawaii; Hawaii Medical Service Association; and Hawaii-American Nurses Association. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Office of the Governor.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 299, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,
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____________________________ KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair |
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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1420
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2025
RE: S.B. No. 299
S.D. 2
H.D. 1
Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura
Speaker, House of Representatives
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2025
State of Hawaii
Madame:
Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 299, S.D. 2, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LOAN REPAYMENT FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to the Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program to continue to provide loan repayment assistance to health care workers in Hawaii.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of the Governor; Department of Health; State Health Planning and Development Agency; University of Hawaii at Mānoa John A. Burns School of Medicine; one member of the Kauai County Council; Healthcare Association of Hawaii; Hawaii Pacific Health; Hawaii Medical Association; Democratic Party of Hawaii; Hawaii American Nurses Association; Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition; Liberty Dialysis-Hawaii; Hawaii Primary Care Association; The Queen's Health Systems; Hawaii Nurses' Association OPEIU Local 50; Hawaii Medical Service Association; Hawaii Association of Health Plans; Hawaii Dental Association; Kaiser Permanente Hawaii; AlohaCare; and two individuals.
Your Committee finds that a persistent workforce shortage in Hawaii's health care industry has created difficulties for patients trying to access health care services, in part because of the combination of the State's high cost of living and the large amount of educational debt carried by many health care professionals. Your Committee further finds that the Legislature appropriated a total of $30,000,000 over the 2024-2025 fiscal biennium to fund a Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program (HELP), which assists health care professionals in Hawaii with repaying their health care education loans in exchange for a commitment to provide at least two years of health care service to patients in Hawaii.
In 2023, HELP awarded loan repayments to eight hundred ninety health care workers, including two hundred thirty-eight primary care providers and two hundred fifty behavioral health providers, and had approximately one thousand five hundred applicants waitlisted; these waitlisted applicants will be reviewed, and awards will continue to be provided to the extent that funding is available for 2024 applications. The program awarded grants to a wide range of health care providers, including case managers, certified nurse assistants, social workers, registered nurses, and physicians. Your Committee believes that continuing to fund this program will help the State address its health care workforce shortages, encourage health care professionals to remain in the State, and ensure Hawaii's residents receive timely access to health care services.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Requiring applicants for loan repayment assistance to commit to two years of full-time service in the State;
(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and
(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.
Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of $30,000,000.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 299, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 299, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,
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____________________________ GREGG TAKAYAMA, Chair |
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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 917
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: S.B. No. 299
S.D. 2
Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi
President of the Senate
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2025
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 299, S.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LOAN REPAYMENT FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate moneys to provide loan repayment assistance to health care workers in Hawaii.
Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Office of the Governor, Department of Health, State Health Planning and Development Agency, University of Hawaii System, AlohaCare, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hawaii Association of Health Plans, Hawaii Dental Association, Hawaii Dental Service, Hawaii Medical Association, Hawaii Medical Service Association, Hawaii Pacific Health, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Hawaii State Center for Nursing, Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Kaiser Permanente, The Queen's Health Systems, and three individuals.
Your Committee finds that the healthcare education loan repayment program has been successful in incentivizing persons to join or remain in the field of health care, and that the program requires continued funding to meet the needs of the State. Your Committee further finds that the program has helped to mitigate the shortage of healthcare professionals in Hawaii.
Your Committee has amended this measure by clarifying the purpose of the Act and specifying that loan repayment shall be contingent upon a minimum number of years of service in the State.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 299, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 299, S.D. 2.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,
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________________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair |
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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 594
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: S.B. No. 299
S.D. 1
Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi
President of the Senate
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2025
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 299 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LOAN REPAYMENT FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds for the Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program.
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of the Governor, Department of Health, State Health Planning and Development Agency, Hawaiʻi State Center for Nursing, University of Hawaiʻi System, The Queens Health Systems, Kaiser Permanente Hawaiʻi, Hawaii Medical Service Association, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, Hawaiʻi Association of Professional Nurses, Hawaii Primary Care Association, Hawaii Medical Association, Hawaii Substance Abuse Coalition, Hawaiʻi‑American Nurses Association, Hawaiʻi Pacific Health, Hawaii Dental Association, and five individuals.
Your Committee finds that a persistent workforce shortage in the health care industry has created difficulties for patients trying to access care, including specialized care such as behavioral health services. On September 9, 2023, the State launched the Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program to assist qualified health care professionals with loan repayment to ensure that they can remain in the State. As the initial appropriation supported two fiscal years of operation, renewed funding is necessary to continue this critical program. Accordingly, this measure provides the funding needed to continue to fund this transformative program to help address continuing shortages in the health care industry.
Your Committee notes that the $30 million appropriated to the Healthcare Education Loan Repayment Program in 2023 assisted over eight hundred medical professionals to remain in the State, including three hundred primary care and behavioral health providers; ninety professionals serving in rural areas; and forty residents in training. Therefore, providing additional support for the Loan Repayment Program will help the State alleviate challenges in the health care industry that has been exacerbated by the chronic shortage of physicians statewide.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Changing the appropriation to an unspecified amount; and
(2) 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. 299, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 299, 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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| Apr 1, 2025 | SB299_HD1_TESTIMONY_FIN_04-01-25_.PDF |
| Mar 19, 2025 | SB299_SD2_TESTIMONY_HLT_03-19-25_.PDF |
| Feb 26, 2025 | SB299_SD1_TESTIMONY_WAM_02-26-25_.PDF |
| Feb 10, 2025 | SB299_TESTIMONY_HHS_02-10-25_.PDF |
Discussed in Hearing
47SEC
Conference Committee
1MIN
House Standing Committee on Finance
2MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Health and Human Services
2MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Labor and Technology
Bill Author
