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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 WkVnzd26yojQ7BGP2642bJObZTr0ZrUBVsDPvlHLqMblDgh5F1M1DU/N4uAKbTLB
 PIQjGgwe7isicW21fHp6Rg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001236462-06-000004.txt : 20061227
<SEC-HEADER>0001236462-06-000004.hdr.sgml : 20061227
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20061227122117
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001236462-06-000004
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20061227
FILED AS OF DATE:		20061227
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20061227

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			STEBBINS LUCINDA H
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001236462

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	811-04889
		FILM NUMBER:		061300011

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O PAMELA USSERY, DEUTSCHE BANK
		STREET 2:		345 PARK AVE
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10154

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			H&Q HEALTHCARE INVESTORS
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000805267
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	UNKNOWN SIC - 0000 [0000]
		IRS NUMBER:				046564285
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0930

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		30 ROWES WHARF
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02110
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6175740537

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		30 ROWES WHARF
		CITY:			BOSTON
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			02110
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2006-12-27</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000805267</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>H&amp;Q HEALTHCARE INVESTORS</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>hqh</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001236462</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>STEBBINS LUCINDA H</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O BETTY CHANG, HAMBRECHT &amp; QUIST</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>30 ROWES WHARF</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BOSTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>02110-3328</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>H&amp;Q Healthcare Investors</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2006-12-27</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>16.4097</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Lucinda H. Stebbins</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-12-27</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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