SR 102: urging the insurance commissioner to study the potential benefits of expanding the use of mail-order pharmacy in the state.

SENATE 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, 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 Resolution be transmitted to the Insurance Commissioner.

Report Title: 

Mail-Order Pharmacy; Study; Insurance Commissioner

SENATE 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, 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 Resolution be transmitted to the Insurance Commissioner.

Report Title: 

Mail-Order Pharmacy; Study; Insurance Commissioner