HCR 163

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.C.R. NO.
163
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII
HOUSE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
requesting the DIRECTOR OF HEALTH TO CONVENE a WORKING
group to examine the feasibility of arts-based social prescribing within public
insurance, private insurance, and prepaid health care plans in Hawaii.
���� WHEREAS, mental
and behavioral health conditions, including depression and anxiety, continue to
affect a significant portion of Hawaii's population and contribute to increased
health care utilization, reduced quality of life, and workforce impacts; and
���� WHEREAS, social
prescribing is a health care approach in which physicians and other licensed
health care providers refer patients to non-clinical, community-based services
to address mental, emotional, and social determinants of health; and
���� WHEREAS, arts-based
social prescribing allows health care providers to prescribe participation in
structured arts and cultural activities-such as music, visual arts, dance,
theater, and other creatives practices-as part of a treatment plan for certain
mental and behavioral health conditions; and
���� WHEREAS, evidence
from other jurisdictions suggests that arts-based social prescribing may
improve mental health outcomes, reduce reliance on medication, increase patient
engagement, and lower overall health care costs; and
���� WHEREAS, Hawaii's
health care system includes a combination of public insurance programs,
including the Med-QUEST program; private health insurers, such as the Hawaii
Medical Service Association; and employer-based prepaid health care plans
regulated under chapter 393, Hawaii Revised Statutes; and
���� WHEREAS, studying
arts-based social prescribing across Med-QUEST, private insurance, and prepaid
health care plans would allow the State to evaluate differences in coverage,
reimbursement, utilization, and cost effectiveness across Hawaii's unique
multi-payer system; and
���� WHEREAS, Hawaii's
rich cultural and artistic communities present an opportunity to design
culturally responsive, community-based interventions that support mental health
and well-being; 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 the
Director of Health is requested to convene a working group, serving as its
chair, to examine the feasibility, effectiveness, and potential cost savings of
implementing arts-based social prescribing within public insurance programs,
private health insurance, and prepaid health care plans in the State; and
���� BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Director of Health is requested to invite representatives of the
following entities to participate in the working group:
���� (1)� The Department of Human Services Med-QUEST
Division;
���� (2)� Private insurers operating in the State;
���� (3)� Prepaid health care plans operating in the
State;
���� (4)� The State Foundation on Culture and the Arts;
���� (5)� Health care providers operating in the State;
���� (6)� Community-based arts organizations operating
in the State; and
���� (7)� Other entities as the chair deems necessary;
and
���� BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the working group is requested to:
���� (1)� Examine the legal, regulatory, and
administrative issues and other feasibility considerations surrounding the
reimbursement of arts-based social prescribing under the Med-QUEST program,
private health insurance, and prepaid health care plans;
���� (2)� Determine the potential impacts of arts-based
social prescribing on mental health outcomes, health care utilization, and
costs;
���� (3)� Consider data collection and evaluation
methods for the reimbursement of arts-based social prescribing under the
Med-QUEST program, private health insurance, and prepaid health care plans;
���� (4)� Consider opportunities for pilot programs
involving Med-QUEST beneficiaries, privately insured individuals, and prepaid
health care plan enrollees; and
���� (5)� Submit a report of its findings and
recommendations, including any proposed legislation or pilot programs, to the
Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular
Session of 2027; and
���� BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the working group be dissolved on June 30, 2027; and
���� BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the
Director of Health, who in turn is requested to transmit copies to private
insurers, prepaid health care plans, and health care providers operating in the
State; Director of Human Services; Med-QUEST Division Administrator; and
Executive Director of the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, who in turn
is requested to transmit copies to community-based arts organizations operating
in the State.
OFFERED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:�
Health
Care; Arts-based Social Prescribing; Insurance; Medical Plans; Study Group