News
Measures Expanding Healthcare Access, Relieving Medical Debt Become Law with Governor’s Signature
Big Island NowPublished July 12, 2026 Hawai‘i Gov. Josh Green recently signed three measures aimed at strengthening access to health care and alleviating the burden of medical costs for residents of the islands. Access to quality health care should not...
Read MoreGreen Signs Bills Targeting Medical Debt, Human Trafficking and More
Aloha State Daily | Michael BrestovanskyPublished July 10, 2026 It was a big week for new laws in Hawai‘i after Gov. Josh Green signed more than two dozen bills between Monday and Friday. In addition to a vape ban and funding for colon...
Read MoreHawaiʻi Forgiveness Program to Reduce $91M in Medical Debt
Hawaii Public Radio | Mark LadaoPublished July 10, 2026 About 50,000 Hawaiʻi residents have accumulated a total of $91 million in medical debt, but a new state program could help absolve lower-income residents of those unpaid bills. The state’s high...
Read MoreNew Hawaii Law Expands Coverage for Colorectal Cancer Screenings
Hawaii News Now | Raquel CaloPublished July 9, 2026 HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Gov. Josh Green on Wednesday signed House Bill 1969, a measure aimed at removing financial barriers to colorectal cancer screenings and treatment in Hawaii. The law requires health insurance...
Read MoreNew Program Could Help Wipe out Medical Debt for Thousands of Hawaii Patients
KITV NewsPublished July 9, 2026 HONOLULU (Island News) – It's a problem lawmakers say affects more than one in 20 adults here in the islands -- mounting medical debt. "You don't choose to get sick. You don't choose to get...
Read MoreHawaiʻi Is Losing Therapists Before They Even Start. A New Law Could Help
Civil Beat | Hikari Mae HidaPublished June 29, 2026 Angela Mulligan graduated with a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy last March, hoping to become a couples therapist for clients on the Big Island and give back to the...
Read MoreUH Faculty Help Lead Statewide Trauma-informed Certification effort
University of Hawai‘i NewsPublished June 22, 2026 Hawaiʻi is advancing its commitment to becoming the nation’s first trauma-informed state—a systemic shift that prioritizes government policies and services that recognize the pervasive impact of trauma. To support this effort, the State’s Office...
Read MoreOWR Staff in ACE Resource Network Newsletter
Hawai‘i State Senator Joy San Buenaventura, Office of Wellness and Resilience Director Tia L. Roberts Hartsock and Governor Josh Green were shown with Dr. Burke Harris at a Better Tomorrow Speaker Series event at University of Hawai‘i Manoa. This was the first...
Read MoreHealthcare Legislation Addressed Vapes, Medical Debt
Honolulu Star-Advertiser | Nina WuPublished June 8, 2026 There were some gains, but also disappointing failures for healthcare issues in this year’s state Legislature. While legislators approved some bills addressing the use of vapes among youth in Hawaii, along with...
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