26 Oct 2009

"Basic Health Hawaii" delayed again

11:22 am on 26 October 2009

A temporary restraining order halting the state of Hawaii from switching Pacific people to a health plan without dialysis or chemotherapy coverage has been extended again pending completion of a rule-making process.

The cost-saving plan, known as "Basic Health Hawaii," went into effect in September.

The State Human Services Director, Lillian Koller, says they are working on the process which involves a number of reviews of the proposed plan, public notice and public hearings.

The Department of Human Services expected the new plan to save about 30 million US dollars out of 42 million it is required to cut from its budget over the next two years.

The restraining order was granted September 1 and extended to September 30 by U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright.