However, I want to be clear that my personal opinion is not the basis for my decision against allowing this legislation to become law. Neither is my veto based on my religious beliefs or on the political impact it might have on me or anyone else of either political party in some future election.
I am vetoing this bill because I have become convinced that this issue is of such significant societal importance that it deserves to be decided directly by all the people of Hawaii. It would be a mistake to allow a decision of this magnitude to be made by one individual or a small group of elected officials.
Governors across the country have consistently stated that states need the flexibility to adjust their Medicaid programs so they can deliver quality health care to patients at a reasonable and sustainable price. Hawai`i has already undertaken health care reforms. Specifically, our QUEST Medicaid program, which the federal government estimates has saved nearly $700 million by instituting cost-efficiency measures, provides quality health care to low-income men, women and children. Hawai`i needs the freedom to continue these reforms. We don't need restrictions in the form of unfunded federal mandates.
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The above quotations are from 2010 gubernatorial press releases.
Click here for other excerpts from 2010 gubernatorial press releases. Click here for other excerpts by Linda Lingle. Click here for other excerpts by other Governors.
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