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:

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Report Title: 

Health Care; Arts-based Social Prescribing; Insurance; Medical Plans; Study Group