HR 176: URGING THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY TO EXTEND THE RENEWAL PERIOD FOR SECRETARIAL DESIGNEE HEALTH CARE AUTHORIZATIONS RELATED TO THE RED HILL WATER CONTAMINATION crisis AND TO IMPROVE HEALTH CARE ACCESS FOR AFFECTED INDIVIDUALS.

HOUSE RESOLUTION

URGING THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY TO EXTEND THE RENEWAL PERIOD FOR SECRETARIAL DESIGNEE HEALTH CARE AUTHORIZATIONS RELATED TO THE RED HILL WATER CONTAMINATION crisis AND TO IMPROVE HEALTH CARE ACCESS FOR AFFECTED INDIVIDUALS.

     WHEREAS, the contamination of a significant portion of Oahu's drinking water supply from the release of fuel from the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in November 2021, created significant health concerns for military families, civilian residents, and United States Department of Defense personnel living in military housing and surrounding communities; and

     WHEREAS, the Red Hill water contamination crisis resulted in numerous reports of health symptoms among affected residents, including headaches, nausea, respiratory irritation, skin conditions, and other medical issues associated with potential fuel exposure; and

     WHEREAS, protecting the health and well-being of servicemembers and their families is essential to maintaining military readiness and ensuring that those who serve the nation are supported by a strong and reliable system of medical care; and

     WHEREAS, the federal government owes a duty of care to servicemembers, military families, and civilian personnel who were exposed to contaminated drinking water while residing in military housing; and

     WHEREAS, the United States Department of Defense, through the Defense Health Agency, authorized expanded access to civilian medical providers through Secretarial Designee letters administered under TRICARE to ensure that affected individuals could receive timely medical care; and

     WHEREAS, these Secretarial Designee authorizations currently require periodic renewal, which may create uncertainty and barriers for patients and health care providers seeking continuity of care; and

     WHEREAS, many affected individuals continue to experience ongoing health concerns and require long-term monitoring, evaluation, and treatment related to potential fuel exposure; and

     WHEREAS, many servicemembers and military families affected by the Red Hill water contamination crisis have since relocated to military installations across the United States; and

     WHEREAS, in many areas of the continental United States, there are limited or no military treatment facilities nearby, making it more difficult for affected individuals to access military health services; and

     WHEREAS, reliance on civilian medical providers is often necessary in these regions; however, some affected individuals have reported challenges with referrals, coverage, and reimbursement for care related to the Red Hill fuel exposure; and

     WHEREAS, improved coordination between military treatment facilities and civilian providers, including the use of "warm handoff" referral practices and coordinated patient transitions, would help ensure continuity of care and better health outcomes for affected individuals; and

     WHEREAS, establishing reimbursement or voucher programs for medical services related to the Red Hill fuel exposure could help ensure equitable access to health care for affected individuals, regardless of their geographic location and whether a military treatment facility is available nearby; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, that the United States Department of Defense and Defense Health Agency are urged to extend the renewal period for Secretarial Designee health care authorizations related to the Red Hill water contamination crisis to a two-year renewal cycle to promote stability and continuity of care for affected individuals; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the United States Department of Defense is urged to improve access to health care for individuals affected by the Red Hill water contamination crisis by:

     (1)  Expanding access to civilian medical providers under TRICARE;

     (2)  Implementing coordinated referral practices, including "warm handoffs", between military treatment facilities and civilian providers to improve care coordination and patient transitions;

     (3)  Promoting continuity of care and long-term medical monitoring for individuals affected by Red Hill fuel exposure; and

     (4)  Exploring or establishing reimbursement or voucher programs to assist individuals who incur out-of-pocket costs for medical services related to Red Hill fuel exposure, particularly for those residing in areas without military treatment facilities nearby; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, United States Secretary of Defense, Director of the Defense Health Agency, and Hawaii's Congressional delegation.

Report Title: 

Improved Health Care; Red Hill Water Contamination Crisis