HCR 137: Urging an immediate and permanent ceasefire and an end to hostilities in Iran.

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

Urging an immediate and permanent ceasefire and an end to hostilities in Iran.

     WHEREAS, in February 2026, the United States initiated Operation Epic Fury, which targeted high-ranking members of Iran's government and military; and

     WHEREAS, thirteen United States soldiers have been killed since the beginning of the conflict in Iran; and

     WHEREAS, the conflict has claimed the lives of 3,636 people, including 1,701 civilians; and

     WHEREAS, the United States has deployed approximately ten thousand additional troops to the Middle East, increasing the total number of United States troops deployed in the region to over fifty thousand; and

     WHEREAS, the United States lacks coherent objectives and has failed to provide a clearly defined timetable for its ongoing participation in the conflict in Iran; and

     WHEREAS, the White House has declined to provide Congress with an estimate of the current costs of the conflict, but independent experts have provided an approximation of $25 billion to $35 billion; and

     WHEREAS, these direct financial costs, when averaged across each household in the United States, total around $260; and

     WHEREAS, the costs of the conflict for the United States and its taxpayers will only grow as the conflict continues, with the estimated daily costs totaling around $2 billion and the total potential costs reaching over $1 trillion; and

     WHEREAS, the White House has requested $1.5 trillion dollars for defense in its budget request; and

     WHEREAS, the conflict has also incurred indirect costs to the United States and the global economy, especially through the closure of the Strait of Hormuz; and

     WHEREAS, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted a critical trade route responsible for delivering approximately twenty percent of the world's energy supply; and

     WHEREAS, recent reports indicate that China has also taken steps to block transit around the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, a region through which roughly thirty percent of global maritime commerce passes; and

     WHEREAS, these disruptions to global trade and energy supplies have led to a thirty percent increase in the average cost of gasoline in the United States; and

     WHEREAS, the average taxpayer in the United States paid $4,049 for war and weapons in 2025 and will likely pay more in 2026 if the conflict in Iran continues; and

     WHEREAS, the destabilizing effects of global conflict have compounded the effects of tariffs enacted within the past year, which have significantly disrupted local businesses and negatively impacted the broader economy; and

     WHEREAS, the ongoing conflict in Iran and prior foreign wars over the past fifty years have weakened the ability of the United States to adequately fund domestic programs and services that benefit residents; and

     WHEREAS, the loss of life, human suffering, and long-term social and economic harms of armed conflict will continue to proliferate without a permanent ceasefire and an end to hostilities in Iran; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, the Senate concurring, that this body urges an immediate and permanent ceasefire and an end to hostilities in Iran; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, Vice President of the United States, United States Secretary of State, United States Secretary of Defense, and members of Hawaii's congressional delegation.

Report Title: 

Iran; Middle East; Operation Epic Fury; Ceasefire

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

Urging an immediate and permanent ceasefire and an end to hostilities in Iran.

     WHEREAS, in February 2026, the United States initiated Operation Epic Fury, which targeted high-ranking members of Iran's government and military; and

     WHEREAS, thirteen United States soldiers have been killed since the beginning of the conflict in Iran; and

     WHEREAS, the conflict has claimed the lives of 3,636 people, including 1,701 civilians; and

     WHEREAS, the United States has deployed approximately ten thousand additional troops to the Middle East, increasing the total number of United States troops deployed in the region to over fifty thousand; and

     WHEREAS, the United States lacks coherent objectives and has failed to provide a clearly defined timetable for its ongoing participation in the conflict in Iran; and

     WHEREAS, the White House has declined to provide Congress with an estimate of the current costs of the conflict, but independent experts have provided an approximation of $25 billion to $35 billion; and

     WHEREAS, these direct financial costs, when averaged across each household in the United States, total around $260; and

     WHEREAS, the costs of the conflict for the United States and its taxpayers will only grow as the conflict continues, with the estimated daily costs totaling around $2 billion and the total potential costs reaching over $1 trillion; and

     WHEREAS, the White House has requested $1.5 trillion dollars for defense in its budget request; and

     WHEREAS, the conflict has also incurred indirect costs to the United States and the global economy, especially through the closure of the Strait of Hormuz; and

     WHEREAS, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted a critical trade route responsible for delivering approximately twenty percent of the world's energy supply; and

     WHEREAS, recent reports indicate the China has also taken steps to block transit around the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, a region through which roughly thirty percent of global maritime commerce passes; and

     WHEREAS, these disruptions to global trade and energy supplies have led to a thirty percent increase in the average cost of gasoline in the United States; and

     WHEREAS, the average taxpayer in the United States paid $4,049 for war and weapons in 2025 and will likely pay more in 2026 if the conflict in Iran continues; and

     WHEREAS, the destabilizing effects of global conflict have compounded the effects of tariffs enacted within the past year, which have significantly disrupted local businesses and negatively impacted the broader economy; and

     WHEREAS, the ongoing conflict in Iran and prior foreign wars over the past fifty years have weakened the ability of the United States to adequately fund domestic programs and services that benefit residents; and

     WHEREAS, the loss of life, human suffering, and long-term social and economic harms of armed conflict will continue to proliferate without a permanent ceasefire and an end to hostilities in Iran; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, the Senate concurring, that this body urges an immediate and permanent ceasefire and an end to hostilities in Iran; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, Vice President of the United States, United States Secretary of State, United States Secretary of Defense, and members of Hawaii's congressional delegation.

Report Title: 

Health Maintenance Organizations; Reimbursement; Health Care Claims; Clean Claims

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

REQUESTING HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS IN THE STATE TO ADHERE TO AND BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ISSUING TIMELY REIMBURSEMENTS OF HEALTH CARE CLAIMS PURSUANT TO THE STATE'S CLEAN CLAIMS STATUTE.

     WHEREAS, article IX, section 10, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii directs the State to provide for the safety of the people from crimes against persons and property; and

     WHEREAS, timely payment of health insurance claims is critical to maintaining patients' access to medical care and ensuring the financial stability of health care providers; and

     WHEREAS, delays in reimbursement harm health care businesses and medical practices and negatively impact patients and consumers, and numerous medical businesses face financial distress or closure where delayed reimbursement is a significant contributing factor; and

     WHEREAS, section 431:13-108, Hawaii Revised Statutes, also known as the Clean Claims Statute, requires health maintenance organizations operating under chapter 432D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to issue reimbursement for uncontested claims within thirty days after receipt, or within fifteen days for electronically submitted claims; and

     WHEREAS, enforcement of section 431:13-108, Hawaii Revised Statutes, by the Insurance Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs appears to occur infrequently and is often driven by after-the-fact complaints rather than consistent oversight; and

     WHEREAS, when reimbursements are not issued in a timely manner, health care providers may be forced to allocate payroll and operating expenses while awaiting reimbursement; and

     WHEREAS, delayed payments may contribute to the failure of medical practices, thereby placing the health and safety of the population at risk; and

     WHEREAS, these impacts disproportionately affect rural and underserved communities; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, the Senate concurring, that health maintenance organizations in the State are requested to adhere to and be held accountable for issuing timely reimbursements of health care claims pursuant to the State's Clean Claims Statute; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs – Insurance Division is requested to prioritize investigation and enforcement of complaints under the Clean Claims Statute; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Director of Health, Director of Human Services, Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Administrator of the State Health Planning and Development Agency, and Insurance Commissioner.

Report Title: 

Health Maintenance Organizations; Reimbursement; Health Care Claims; Clean Claims

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

requesting health maintenance organizations in the state to adhere to and be held accountable for issuing timely reimbursements of health care claims pursuant to THE STATE'S CLEAN CLAIMS STATUTE.

     WHEREAS, article IX, section 10, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii directs the State to provide for the safety of the people from crimes against persons and property; and

     WHEREAS, timely payment of health insurance claims is critical to maintaining patients' access to medical care and ensuring the financial stability of health care providers; and

     WHEREAS, delays in reimbursement harm health care businesses and medical practices and negatively impact patients and consumers, and numerous medical businesses face financial distress or closure where delayed reimbursement is a significant contributing factor; and

     WHEREAS, section 431:13-108, Hawaii Revised Statutes, also known as the Clean Claims Statute, requires health maintenance organizations operating under chapter 432D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to issue reimbursement for uncontested claims within thirty days after receipt, or within fifteen days for electronically submitted claims; and

     WHEREAS, enforcement of section 431:13-108, Hawaii Revised Statutes, by the Insurance Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs appears to occur infrequently and is often driven by after-the-fact complaints rather than consistent oversight; and

     WHEREAS, when reimbursements are not issued in a timely manner, health care providers may be forced to allocate payroll and operating expenses while awaiting reimbursement; and

     WHEREAS, delayed payments may contribute to the failure of medical practices, thereby placing the health and safety of the population at risk; and

     WHEREAS, these impacts disproportionately affect rural and underserved communities; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, the Senate concurring, that health maintenance organizations in the State are requested to adhere to and be held accountable for issuing timely reimbursements of health care claims pursuant to the State's Clean Claims Statute; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Director of Health, Director of Human Services, Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Administrator of the State Health Planning and Development Agency, and Insurance Commissioner.

Report Title: 

Health Maintenance Organizations; Reimbursement; Health Care Claims; Clean Claims