Hawaii funds cancer screenings for eligible residents when money is appropriated

The Department of Human Services provides state-funded colorectal cancer screenings to eligible residents. Eligible residents include people who are uninsured; people whose coverage does not provide the required screenings without cost-sharing; and permanent or nonresident aliens who cannot get Medicaid. The assistance depends on money appropriated by the Legislature. The law sets aside $1.8 million, or as much as needed, for fiscal year 2026–2027. The department must adopt rules, including an application process, and must not impose cost-sharing. The law takes effect July 1, 2026. The appropriation is for fiscal year 2026–2027.

The Department of Human Services provides state-funded coverage for colorectal cancer treatment to qualifying uninsured residents. This applies to uninsured Hawaii residents whose screening under the state-funded program shows they need colorectal cancer treatment. The resident must need treatment as a result of a screening conducted under this program. The assistance depends on money appropriated for the program. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Covered health insurance plans and mutual benefit society contracts cover recommended colorectal cancer screenings and follow-up colonoscopies without cost-sharing. The text covers health insurance policies and individual or group hospital and medical service contracts. The screening must use a method graded A or B by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. A follow-up colonoscopy is covered after a positive stool-based, blood-based, or direct-visualization screening test. The accident and health insurance rule excludes policies limited to specified diseases or other limited benefits.