Bills would remove GET for medical services

from Grassroot Institute, January, 2023

Thank you for signing our petition to exempt medical services from Hawaii’s general excise tax. So far, we have received more than 7,500 signatures!

And it looks like it’s going to pay off: Legislators have introduced multiple bills in the 2023 legislative session that seek to remove the GET for medical services in Hawaii, either wholly or in part. They include:

>> HB240, introduced by Rep. Jeanné Kapela and cosponsored by Reps. Terez Amato, Cory Chun, Natalia Hussey-Burdick, Rachele Lamosao, Nicole Lowen, Lisa Marten, Amy Perruso, Mahina Poepoe, Adrian Tam, David Tarnas and Gene Ward.

>> SB102, introduced by Sen. Lorraine Inouye and cosponsored by Sens. Stanley Chang, Angus McKelvey and Glenn Wakai.

>> SB1128, introduced by Sen. Angus McKelvey and cosponsored by Sens. Stanley Chang, Dru Mamo Kanuha, Gilbert Keith-Agaran, Michelle Kidani, Maile Shimabukuro and Glenn Wakai.

>> SB761, introduced by Sen. Dru Mamo Kanuha and cosponsored by Sens. Henry Aquino, Stanley Chang, Gilbert Keith-Agaran, Angus McKelvey, Herbert Richards III, Glenn Wakai, Brenton Awa, Sharon Morikawa and Maile Shimabukuro.

>> HB662, introduced by Rep. Della Belatti and cosponsored by Reps. Terez Amato, Natali Hussey-Burdick, Jeanne Kapela, Bertrand Kobayashi, Lisa Marten, John Mizuno, Scott Nishimoto, Jenna Takenouchi, Adrian Tam and David Tarnas.

>> SB1035, introduced by Sen. Lorraine Inouye and cosponsored by Sens. Stanley Chang, Gilbert Keith-Agaran, Angus McKelvey and Glenn Wakai. 

In general, we at the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii are optimistic about seeing progress on this issue. Having so many legislators support the exemption — and so many Hawaii residents sign our petition — is a major reason for hope. 

But there is still much left to do. We will be working closely with legislators and other stakeholders to ensure the passage of these bills. We also will let you know how you can help further by informing you of ways you can contact the right legislators at the right time.

We appreciate your involvement thus far and encourage you to reach out to your representatives in favor of these bills.

Mahalo for your continued support.

E hana kākou! (Let’s work together!)

Joe Kent, Executive vice president, Grassroot Institute