SCR 109: urging the insurance commissioner to study the potential benefits of expanding the use of mail-order pharmacy in the state.
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: Senate
- Latest Version Date: 2026-04-08
Current Status:
In Progress
(2026-04-22: The committee(s) on CPC recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.)
Introduced
In Committee
First Chamber
In Committee
Second Chamber
Final Decking
Enacted
What does this bill do?
The resolution asks the Hawaii Insurance Commissioner to study whether expanding mail‑order pharmacy would benefit Hawaii residents. It directs the study to examine medication adherence and chronic disease management, potential cost savings, access for seniors, rural residents, and people with disabilities, shipping and temperature‑control safety, emergency continuity of care, patient choice, and effects on local community pharmacies.
The summary is provided by generative AI which can make mistakes. For original language, please view the details in the table below.
urging the insurance commissioner to study the potential benefits of expanding the use of mail-order pharmacy in the state.
urging the insurance commissioner to study the potential benefits of expanding the use of mail-order pharmacy in the state.
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THE SENATE |
S.C.R. NO. |
109 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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SENATE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
urging the insurance commissioner to study the potential benefits of expanding the use of mail-order pharmacy in the state.
WHEREAS, ensuring that Hawaii residents have access to safe, affordable, and reliable prescription medications is essential to improving long-term health outcomes; and
WHEREAS, mail-order pharmacy services have become an increasingly valuable tool nationwide for helping patients manage chronic conditions, reduce out-of-pocket costs, and maintain steady and convenient access to maintenance medications; and
WHEREAS, numerous studies have shown that mail-order pharmacy can improve patient medication adherence, particularly for individuals who receive ninety-day supplies of medication, resulting in better disease management and reduced emergency room visits and hospitalizations; and
WHEREAS, mail-order pharmacy may expand access for residents of the State living in rural communities or areas with limited pharmacy options, reducing the need for long commutes, transportation barriers, and the need to take time off from work; and
WHEREAS, the convenience of home delivery is especially valuable for kupuna, individuals with disabilities or mobility limitations, caregivers, and individuals managing multiple long‑term medications; and
WHEREAS, mail-order pharmacy services may reduce overall health care costs through economies of scale, automated dispensing technology, improved inventory management, and reduced dispensing fees; and
WHEREAS, the expanded use of mail-order pharmacy may help strengthen the State's health care resilience by providing additional options for continuity of care during emergencies, natural disasters, or other supply-chain disruptions; and
WHEREAS, modern mail-order and specialty pharmacies maintain advanced systems for temperature control, secure packaging, and delivery tracking that can support the safe shipment of a wide range of medications, including biologics and specialty drugs; and
WHEREAS, a comprehensive study by the Insurance Commissioner would provide the Legislature with data-driven insight into how the expanded use of mail-order pharmacy could benefit residents of the State, improve health outcomes, and enhance systemwide efficiency; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Insurance Commissioner is urged to study the potential benefits of expanding the use of mail-order pharmacy in the State; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study is urged to evaluate, at a minimum:
(1) The effect of mail-order pharmacy on patient medication adherence and the management of chronic disease;
(2) Potential cost savings for consumers, insurers, and the health care system as a whole;
(3) The ability of mail-order pharmacy to improve access for kupuna, rural residents, and individuals with disabilities or limited mobility;
(4) The reliability and safety of existing mail-order shipping, tracking, and temperature-control systems;
(5) Opportunities to use mail-order pharmacy to strengthen access to health care during emergencies, supply-chain disruptions, and periods of high demand;
(6) Options to ensure that patients who prefer mail-order pharmacy can readily select this option as part of their prescription benefits;
(7) The impact of mail-order pharmacy on community pharmacy sustainability; and
(8) The impact of mail-order pharmacy on rural access to local pharmacies; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all applicable state and county agencies are urged to cooperate with requests for data and other assistance from the Insurance Commissioner; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Insurance Commissioner is requested to submit a report of the Insurance Commissioner's findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2027; and
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to
the Insurance Commissioner.
Mail-Order Pharmacy; Study; Insurance Commissioner
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THE SENATE |
S.C.R. NO. |
109 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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SENATE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
urging the insurance commissioner to study the potential benefits of expanding the use of mail-order pharmacy in the state.
WHEREAS, ensuring that Hawaii residents have access to safe, affordable, and reliable prescription medications is essential to improving long-term health outcomes; and
WHEREAS, mail-order pharmacy services have become an increasingly valuable tool nationwide for helping patients manage chronic conditions, reduce out-of-pocket costs, and maintain steady and convenient access to maintenance medications; and
WHEREAS, numerous studies have shown that mail-order pharmacy can improve patient medication adherence, particularly for individuals who receive ninety-day supplies of medication, resulting in better disease management and reduced emergency room visits and hospitalizations; and
WHEREAS, mail-order pharmacy may expand access for residents of the State living in rural communities or areas with limited pharmacy options, reducing the need for long commutes, transportation barriers, and the need to take time off from work; and
WHEREAS, the convenience of home delivery is especially valuable for kupuna, individuals with disabilities or mobility limitations, caregivers, and individuals managing multiple long-term medications; and
WHEREAS, mail-order pharmacy services may reduce overall health care costs through economies of scale, automated dispensing technology, improved inventory management, and reduced dispensing fees; and
WHEREAS, the expanded use of mail-order pharmacy may help strengthen the State's health care resilience by providing additional options for continuity of care during emergencies, natural disasters, or other supply-chain disruptions; and
WHEREAS, modern mail-order and specialty pharmacies maintain advanced systems for temperature control, secure packaging, and delivery tracking that can support the safe shipment of a wide range of medications, including biologics and specialty drugs; and
WHEREAS, a comprehensive study by the Insurance Commissioner would provide the Legislature with data-driven insight into how the expanded use of mail-order pharmacy could benefit residents of the State, improve health outcomes, and enhance systemwide efficiency; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Insurance Commissioner is urged to study the potential benefits of expanding the use of mail-order pharmacy in the State; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study is urged to examine, at a minimum:
(1) The effect of mail-order pharmacy on patient medication adherence and the management of chronic disease;
(2) Potential cost savings for consumers, insurers, and the health care system as a whole;
(3) The ability of mail-order pharmacy to improve access for kupuna, rural residents, and individuals with disabilities or limited mobility;
(4) The reliability and safety of existing mail-order shipping, tracking, and temperature-control systems;
(5) Opportunities to use mail-order pharmacy to strengthen access to health care during emergencies, supply-chain disruptions, and periods of high demand; and
(6) Options to ensure that patients who prefer mail-order pharmacy can readily select this option as part of their prescription benefits; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Insurance Commissioner is requested to submit a report of the Insurance Commissioner's findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2027; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Insurance Commissioner.
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OFFERED BY: |
_____________________________ |
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Mail-Order Pharmacy; Study; Insurance Commissioner
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Date
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Status
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| Apr 22, 2026 | The committee(s) on CPC recommend(s) that the measure be deferred. |
| Apr 20, 2026 | Resolution scheduled to be heard by CPC on Wednesday, 04-22-26 2:00PM in conference room 430 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Apr 17, 2026 | Re-referred to CPC, referral sheet 29 |
| Apr 15, 2026 | This measure has been deleted from the meeting scheduled on Friday 04-17-26 10:30AM in conference room 329 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Apr 15, 2026 | Resolution scheduled to be heard by HLT on Friday, 04-17-26 10:30AM in conference room 329 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Apr 10, 2026 | Referred to HLT, CPC, referral sheet 28 |
| Apr 9, 2026 | Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 477) in amended form (SD 1). |
| Apr 9, 2026 | Report and Resolution Adopted, as amended (SD 1). Transmitted to House. |
| Apr 8, 2026 | One Day Notice 04-09-26. |
| Apr 8, 2026 | Reported from CPN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3528) with recommendation of adoption, as amended (SD 1). |
| Apr 7, 2026 | The committee(s) on CPN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in CPN were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Keohokalole, Fukunaga, Lamosao, McKelvey; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Awa. |
| Apr 2, 2026 | The committee(s) on CPN has scheduled a public hearing on 04-07-26 9:15AM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference. |
| Mar 19, 2026 | Referred to CPN. |
| Mar 16, 2026 | Offered. |
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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 7, 2026 | The committee(s) on CPN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | Senate Standing Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection |
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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| Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs | *** Support | Apr 22, 2026 |
| Hawai'i Pharmacists Association | *** Against | Apr 22, 2026 |
| Hawaii Association of Health Plans | *** Support | Apr 22, 2026 |
| HMSA | *** Support | Apr 22, 2026 |
| Molokai Drugs, Inc. | *** Against | Apr 7, 2026 |
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Date
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Testimony PDF
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| Apr 22, 2026 | SCR109_SD1_TESTIMONY_CPC_04-22-26_.PDF |
| Apr 7, 2026 | SCR109_TESTIMONY_CPN_04-07-26_.PDF |
Discussed in Hearing
5MIN
House Standing Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce
10MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection
10MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary
57SEC
Senate Standing Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection
57SEC
Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary
Bill Author
Bill Co-Author(s):