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Committee defers Kauai pilot to let Medicaid, supervision and training issues be resolved
Summary
The House Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee deferred SB847, a proposal for a three-year Kauai pilot allowing supervised psychologists limited authority to prescribe psychotropic medications, citing unresolved Medicaid reimbursement language and questions about supervision, formulary limits and training supply.
A House Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce hearing on April 2, 2026, on SB847 SD2HD1 ended with lawmakers deferring the bill to a later decision so sponsors can clarify Medicaid reimbursement language and other implementation details.
SB847 would authorize a three-year pilot on Kauai allowing qualified psychologists, under psychiatrist supervision, limited authority to prescribe psychotropic medications for adult patients aged 18 to 65. Proponents said the measure is a targeted response to island workforce shortages; opponents warned it could introduce safety risks without tight limits and oversight.
Supporters, including the Hawaii Mental Health Coalition and the Hawaii Psychological Association, urged action to address long waits for prescribers and limited psychiatric capacity on neighbor islands. "The shortage of psychiatrists on Kawaii is 60% of what is needed for adults and 62% for…
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