Hawaii seeks to protect its unique health law

Posted on March 25, 2011
HONOLULU (AP) – Hawaii lawmakers are trying to protect the state’s unique health insurance system from federal interference because they say the islands’ law provides better coverage than the 1-year-old national health care overhaul.

A measure advancing through the state Legislature aims to safeguard Hawaii‘s health system, which requires businesses to provide insurance to full-time employees, from potential legal challenges.

The bill would eliminate a section of the state law calling for it to be repealed when federal legislation provides for mandatory prepaid health care.

Unlike states opposing the federal requirement that individuals buy health insurance by 2014, Hawaii‘s overwhelming Democratic political leadership supports the national health law.

But they want to be able to use the federal measure to complement state health rules, not replace them.

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      HB1134: http://capitol.hawaii.gov/

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

See the original article at: KHON2 Developing Stories

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