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Hawaii News

Hawaii opt-out in health care bills

November 6, 2009

HONOLULU — Hawaii would be allowed to opt out of key requirements of national health care reform legislation, the only state given such a privilege because it already has its own comprehensive health insurance law. Hawaii’s exemption is written into three paragraphs of the 1,900-page House bill that’s set for a vote Saturday. U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, said Thursday that Hawaii’s 35-year-old health law should be preserved because its requirement that employers pay for full-time workers’ health insurance has boosted the number of insured residents to one of the highest rates in the nation. ‘‘We have this exemption because our prepaid health care law is better than whatever the federal government provides,’’ said Hirono, who introduced the Hawaii amendment to the bill. ‘‘Hawaii has a very progressive law on its books, which no other state has tried.’’ A similar employer requirement in the federal legislation would make workers pay more, Hirono said.

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Kaiser seeks to raise rates by 10.7 percent

November 6, 2009

HONOLULU (AP) — The state’s second-largest health plan is seeking permission from the state Insurance Division to raise rates an average of 10.

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Economist predicts slow recovery in Hawaii

November 6, 2009

HONOLULU (AP) — Next year may be a year of stabilization in Hawaii’s economy, but it will likely be 2011 before sustained economic recovery sets in, economist Leroy Laney said.

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Little support for pay cut instead of furloughs idea

November 6, 2009

An idea pitched by the governor to reduce or eliminate teacher furlough days by swapping them with a 5 percent pay cut for teachers has generated little interest among key union and education officials and lawmakers.

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Special session on furloughs unnecessary -?Duke Aiona

November 6, 2009

HONOLULU (AP) — Lt. Gov. James ‘‘Duke’’ Aiona is saying there is no need to call a special legislative session to reduce or eliminate controversial teacher furloughs in Hawaii.

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Judges required to report to work on Furlough Fridays, says justice

November 6, 2009

HONOLULU (AP) —The first Furlough Friday is at hand for state Judiciary employees.

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