Dear Rep. Mazie Hirono,
Hawaii has under gone a mass exodus of Doctors for the past few years. The insurance industry has squeezed us down to two health care choices.
The current health care plan in Hawaii has driven many small business owners right out of business.
We have 2 choices for health care in Kona. If you are not working full time, you can pay cobra (at more than double the cost from an employer). If you are unemployed or layed off you WILL NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD HEALTH CARE.
Why? Pray tell WHY would you want Hawaii to opt out of the Nationwide Health Reform?
Of course it doesn’t affect you with your premium Health Care plan. But what about the rest of us?
You have lost my support and have proven you really don’t care about Hawaii’s future.
1 comment:
Aloha Ms. McGeachy and the readers of your blog –
My name is Marvin Buenconsejo, Communications Director for Congresswoman Mazie Hirono. It is only natural for you to react with such passion to the news that the Congresswoman “wants Hawaii to opt out of the Nationwide Health Care Reform.”
Unfortunately, that is simply not the case.
Although you don’t mention it in your post, I’m assuming you are reacting to the recent article titled, “Hawaii Exempt from Health Bill” published in the Hawaii Tribune-Herald, or its shorter form found on the KPUA website, “Hawaii may opt out of health reform.”
This article has created significant confusion among your neighbors, her constituents. So, Ms. McGeachy, I can tell you, you are not alone in your reaction.
First and foremost, Congresswoman Hirono has always been a strong supporter of health care reform. With that, posted below is a statement by Congresswoman Hirono further clarifying her position on health care reform as well as facts regarding the Hirono Amendment and the Hawaii Prepaid Health Care Act.
Me Ke Aloha,
Marvin Buenconsejo
Office of Congresswoman Mazie Hirono
Statement by Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono Addressing AP Article on Hirono Amendment
A number of you have read the Associated Press article titled, “Health Reform Bill Allows Hawaii to Opt Out.” Portions of this article are misleading and made to sound as if I want Hawaii to be excluded from our nation’s historic health care reform efforts. That is simply not true. I am, and always have been, a strong supporter of reforming our country’s broken health care system. I will be voting for passage of H.R. 3962, the House health care reform bill.
The biggest mistaken perception about how Hawaii will be treated under H.R. 3962 is that everything and everyone in Hawaii is exempted. Not so. The Hirono Amendment only exempts Hawaii’s Prepaid Health Care Act (PHCA) and those who come under it (certain full-time employees and their employers). PHCA does not apply to part-time employees, seniors on Medicare, those without health insurance, government employees, or those covered by collective bargaining agreements. Therefore, H.R. 3962 would apply to them. I know it is easier to talk in terms of the State of Hawaii being exempt from the bill, but that is wrong. The distinction between PHCA being exempt and the whole state being exempt is a critical distinction to make.
PHCA requires employers to contribute at least 50 percent of the premium cost for single health care coverage, and the employee must contribute the balance, provided the employee’s share does not exceed 1.5 percent of his or her wages. Because of rising health care costs, Hawaii employers on average cover 94 percent – not the 98.5 percent mentioned in the article – of the premium cost because of the second part of Hawaii’s law. Hawaii employers may cover the full cost of the health insurance premium and many do cover 100 percent of the cost of single coverage. H.R. 3962 would require employers to cover 72.5 percent of premium costs for single health care coverage.
The Hirono Amendment will provide maximum flexibility for Hawaii once a federal health care reform bill becomes law. Hawaii will be able to decide for itself to retain PHCA or come completely under the new federal law.
For more information, as well as the latest updates on Congress’ efforts to reform our nation’s health care system, please visit my website at http://hirono.house.gov/.
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