State of Hawaii Archives: on Health Care
Andria Tupola:
No Medicaid expansion with unfunded mandates
Q: Do you support Medicaid expansion through Hawaii's health care programs?A: No. The billions-of-dollars burden that past administrations have put on the state budget with unfunded mandates not only places a burden on our youth, but limits
the state's ability to expand programs such as these for our elderly.
Q: Do you support requiring individuals to purchase health care insurance?
A: No.
Q: Do you support legislation that grants citizens the right to choose to die through euthanasia?
A: No. I do not support euthanasia because it is illegal throughout the US. The only conversations around this issue are in regards
to physician-assisted suicide.
Q: Do you support eliminating religious exemptions for vaccinations?
A: No.
Source: Hawaii Gubernatorial Election 2018 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2018
Benjamin Cayetano:
$141M for new medical school at University of Hawaii
The University of Hawaii is not just a place of higher learning; it is also a driving force for the economic development of this State. That is why I am proposing we support a brand new, world-class medical school in Kakaako Makai.
The new medical school will be the foundation of Hawaii’s healthcare and biotechnology industries. At $141 million for the first phase, it will not come cheap. But it will help develop a biotechnology industry.
Source: 2001 State of the State address to Hawaii Legislature
Jan 22, 2001
Cam Cavasso:
Repeal ObamaCare; it's not a government responsibility
Question topic: It is the government's responsibility to be sure everyone has health care and a livable income.Cavasso: Strongly Disagree
Question topic: The Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) should be repealed by Congress.
Cavasso: Strongly Agree
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Hawaii Senate race
Sep 30, 2014
Cynthia Thielen:
Voted YES on prohibiting smoking in public places
Bill Number: SB 3262 - An act relating to health. Cynthia Thielen voted YES. Conference Report Adopted by House, 47 - 3. Synopsis:Establishes a new chapter that protects the public health and welfare by prohibiting smoking in places open
to the public and places of employment, ensuring a consistent level of basic protections statewide from exposure to secondhand smoke. Effective date November 16, 2006.
Source: Hawaii State Legislature voting records
Mar 7, 2006
Daniel Akaka:
Advocate for expanding and improving Medicaid and Medicare
The majority in Congress has cut and weakened existing safety net programs such as Medicaid and Medicare. And I have fought these changes and will continue to advocate for expanding and improving Medicaid and Medicare to meet the health care needs
of all people. And to do that, we must take steps to help reign in health care costs without reducing access in an attempt to keep coverage affordable for employees and individuals.
Source: 2006 HI Senate Debate on PBS Hawaii
Aug 31, 2006
David Ige:
Supports employer-mandated health care insurance law
Hawai'i has one of the highest rates of health care insurance coverage in the nation due to our employer-mandated health care insurance law, the Prepaid Health Care Act. In Hawai'i, 93% of all residents have health care insurance.
I will focus on securing coverage for the remainder of the population.I will seek to correct an error of the current Governor, who failed to request regulatory flexibility for the requirements of the federal Affordable Care Act that weaken Hawai'i's
Prepaid Health Care Law. Our Hawai'i Health Connector received a $205 million grant from the federal government, but has been a disaster. The Connector unworkable on the day it was scheduled to start, and, nine months later, the
Connector has enrolled less than 1% of the population. There are better alternatives to covering Hawai'i's uninsured residents.
Source: 2014 Hawaii gubernatorial campaign website DavidIge.org
Aug 9, 2014
David Ige:
Support unfunded liabilities for State Union Health Benefits
Q: Are you satisfied with the current plans to pay for the state's unfunded liabilities? IGE: Last year Hawaii became the first state in the country to enact a plan for handling unfunded liabilities for the
State Employer Union Health Benefits Trust Fund.
ABERCROMBIE: The Employer-Union Trust Fund (EUTF) has never been prefunded until my administration came into office.
With our financial turnaround of the state's finances, we've started to put money back into the EUTF to address its unfunded liabilities. Working with the Legislature, we passed Act 268 in 2013 to statutorily establish an annual required contribution.
Hawaii was one of the first states to really address the unfunded liability for Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB).
Source: Honolulu Civil Beat Q&A on 2014 Hawaii gubernatorial race
Jul 11, 2014
David Ige:
We have failed to execute the Hawaii Health Connector
There were heated moments during the debate, including an exchange over the troubled Hawaii Health Connector: "The legislature legislates. The executive executes. And this is a failure to execute," said Ige.
"In other words, the legislature created the Health Connector. All I can do is execute what the legislature tells me to do," Abercrombie responded.
Source: Hawaii News Now on 2014 Hawaii gubernatorial debate
Jul 9, 2014
David Ige:
Move management of public hospitals to private sector
It is getting harder and harder for us as a state to operate these hospitals well. We need the resources the private sector can bring to bear on the increasingly complex issues and challenges of health care.
We recently signed a historic agreement transferring the operation and management of the Maui Region health care facilities from the state to Kaiser Permanente.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Hawaii legislature
Jan 25, 2016
David Ige:
Expand University of Hawai'i's doctor residency program
The virus has been relentless in exposing gaps in our healthcare infrastructure, including critical shortages of doctors and nurses. To address these concerns, we're asking the Legislature to fund the expansion of the University of Hawai'i's doctor
residency program. In this way, we can increase the number of doctors doing their residency on the neighbor islands from only five to 50. More importantly, the numbers tell us that most young doctors end up practicing where they do their residency.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Hawaii legislature
Jan 24, 2022
Eddie Pirkowski:
Repeal ObamaCare; it's not a government responsibility
Question topic: It is the government's responsibility to be sure everyone has health care and a livable income.Pirkowski: Strongly Disagree
Question topic: The Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) should be repealed by Congress.
Pirkowski: Strongly Agree
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Hawaii Senate race
Jul 2, 2014
Duke Aiona:
No public option; no individual mandate
Q: Do you support a universally-accessible, publicly-administered health insurance option?A: No.
Q: Do you support interstate health insurance compacts?
A: Yes.
Q: Should individuals be required to purchase health insurance?
A: No.
Q: Do you
support monetary limits on damages that can be collected in malpractice lawsuits?
A: Yes.
Aiona adds, "My vision is for Hawai'i's citizens to lead healthy, productive lives with access to affordable, high-quality health care that is available to all
and where a healthy lifestyle is the norm. To achieve this goal, I'll pursue policies that focus on prevention rather than just treatment of illnesses. I'll work to expand health care options available to Hawai'i's families and encourage a greater number
of providers to ensure we have a competitive market that gives our citizens meaningful choices when choosing insurance. And I'll pursue programs that increase our supply of well-trained physicians, nurses and health care professionals."
Source: Hawaii Gubernatorial Election 2010 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2010
Duke Aiona:
COVID: not against vaccinations, but opposes mandates
While Aiona said he does not support vaccine mandates like those instituted during the pandemic, he is not against vaccinations and did not go so far as to question the efficacy of vaccinations for
Covid-19 and other diseases. However, he said the lockdowns and mandates did play into his decision to run again.
Source: Honolulu Civil Beat on 2022 Hawaii Gubernatorial race
Aug 13, 2022
Ed Case:
Let small businesses pull together resources in health plans
I have support a bill to provide small businesses with the opportunities to pool their resources in association health plans so that they can create the same kind of critical mass that large businesses can create to be able to manage their
health care costs. If small businesses can pull together in association health plans they can in fact manage those health care costs a little bit more and spread the risks more.
Source: 2006 HI Senate Debate on PBS Hawaii
Aug 31, 2006
Ed Case:
Support drugs re-importation and bulk purchases of drugs
We can't talk about health care without talking about the prescription drug costs, specifically. Two major initiatives that I believe we need to put forward and accomplish right away, in which I have opposed the Bush administration's position,
are first of all to allow re-importation of safe drugs from overseas that are FDA approved, and second to allow bulk purchasing of those drugs for Medicare for the 40 million plus Americans that do get Medicare. That can help.
Source: 2006 HI Senate Debate on PBS Hawaii
Aug 31, 2006
John Carroll:
Don't mandate insurance, but don't repeal ObamaCare
Q: Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act?A: No.
Q: Should individuals be required to purchase health insurance, as mandated in the 2010 Affordable Care Act?
A: No.
Source: VoteSmart 2012 Hawaii Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2012
Josh Green:
Has been a leading voice in the Covid-19 fight
Green, a medical doctor, is a leading voice in the Covid-19 fight. (For months the Department of Health has been announcing the latest Covid case count at noon. At some point Green began publicly sharing the case numbers at 10:30 a.m., generating him
breaking news and tons of social media. Now the DOH is announcing the results at 9 a.m. No word yet whether Green will be tweeting and instagramming case counts at 7:30 a.m. going forward.)
Source: Honolulu Civil Beat on 2022 Hawaii Gubernatorial race
Aug 19, 2021
Josh Green:
COVID: Opposes having ration health care
Although Green said Hawaii could allow an ease of restrictions in about two weeks, he said Gov. David Ige "is somewhat conservative in this area." The spike in hospitalizations that followed the surge of the delta variant led officials to
express concerns about having to ration health care, which Green said he is against. "Because of that, I think (Ige) is super risk averse and doesn't want to risk any slippage," said Green.
Source: Maui News on 2022 Hawaii Gubernatorial race
Oct 6, 2021
Josh Green:
Lt. Governor also works as emergency room doctor
Several lawmakers want to prohibit the state's lieutenant governor from having a second job. Currently Lt. Gov. Josh Green works two 48-hour shifts a month as an emergency room doctor. Green believes his work as a doctor has made Hawaii's fight against
COVID-19 more successful. "One small part of why we have the lowest case rates and the lowest mortality rate is because I'm able to share experiences with my physician colleagues and make policy with our team to keep us low," said Green.
Source: KHON on 2022 Hawaii Gubernatorial race
Feb 15, 2021
Josh Green:
Voted YES on prohibiting smoking in public places
Bill Number: SB 3262 - Establishes a new chapter that protects the public health and welfare by prohibiting smoking in places open to the public and places of employment, ensuring a consistent level of basic protections statewide from exposure to
secondhand smoke. Effective date November 16, 2006.Legislative outcome: Passed Senate 22-3-0 on May/2/06; Passed House 47-3-1 on May/2/06; State Rep. Josh Green voted YES; Signed by Governor Linda Lingle on Jul/7/06
Source: Hawaii State Legislature voting records SB 3262
Mar 7, 2006
Josh Green:
Access to treatment for homeless addicts & mentally ill
In Hawaii we should never turn our backs on anyone or leave anyone behind. That means those struggling with addiction or mental illness should have access to treatment and recovery.We will
work to implement clear and effective protocols that police, social workers, and healthcare professionals can follow every time someone lands on the street, allowing us to intervene more quickly with help and solutions when someone becomes homeless.
Source: 2022 Hawaii Governor campaign website JoshGreenForHawaii.com
Aug 17, 2022
Kai Kahele:
Bring physicians and services to underserved rural Hawai'i
As a resident of Hawai'i Island, Kai understands the unique healthcare challenges that our rural communities face. In Hawai'i, our rate of adult diabetes and healthcare expenses per capita have doubled in the last 20 years while we concurrently face
a physician-shortage that has worsened over the last decade. Kai sees this critical shortage and will actively work to bring physicians and services to Hawai'i in order to provide our community with critical high-quality care.
Source: 2022 Hawaii Gubernatorial campaign website KaiKahele.com
May 12, 2022
Kirk Caldwell:
Invest much more in mental health, drug treatment programs
The roots of homelessness lie in housing affordability, mental health, and substance abuse. There are no fast or easy answers to any of those. We must invest more, much more, in community mental health and drug treatment programs.
Although we may never eliminate homelessness in a free society such as ours, we need leadership to make homelessness rare, brief, and nonrecurring.
Source: 2022 Hawaii Gubernatorial campaign website KirkCaldwell.org
Feb 11, 2022
Kirk Caldwell:
Voted YES on prohibiting smoking in public places
Bill Number: SB 3262 - Establishes a new chapter that protects the public health and welfare by prohibiting smoking in places open to the public and places of employment, ensuring a consistent level of basic protections statewide from exposure to
secondhand smoke. Effective date November 16, 2006.Legislative outcome: Passed Senate 22-3-0 on May/2/06; Passed House 47-3-1 on May/2/06; Kirk Caldwell voted YES; Signed by Governor Linda Lingle on Jul/7/06
Source: Hawaii State Legislature voting records SB 3262
Mar 7, 2006
Linda Lingle:
State QUEST program instead of ObamaCare
The health care legislation will force Hawai`i and all the other states into a one-size-fits-all program that is financially unsustainable. The $1.2 trillion government takeover of health care will cost Hawai`i residents, conservatively, an estimated
$300 million over five years in added costs to our Medicaid programs, which are already hemorrhaging red ink.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.
Source: 2010 Hawaii gubernatorial Press Release "Health Legislation"
Mar 15, 2010
Linda Lingle:
Voted YES on prohibiting smoking in public places
Bill Number: SB 3262 - Establishes a new chapter that protects the public health and welfare by prohibiting smoking in places open to the public and places of employment, ensuring a consistent level of basic protections statewide from exposure to
secondhand smoke. Effective date November 16, 2006.Legislative outcome: Passed Senate 22-3-0 on May/2/06; Passed House 47-3-1 on May/2/06; Signed by Governor Linda Lingle on Jul/7/06
Source: Hawaii State Legislature voting records SB 3262
Jul 7, 2006
Ron Curtis:
Affordable health care for all calls for effective planning
The long-term vision is to provide an accessible and affordable nationally-guided quality health care system for everyone in the United States. The challenge is in how to reach this national health care vision and how to sustain it. It is going to take
significant planning, preparation, and persistence to implement an effective comprehensive approach to achieve this vision.We're not going to get there overnight and we need to approach this in a gradual, phased-in, step-by-step process.
Source: 2018 Hawaii Senate campaign website RonCurtis808.com
Aug 8, 2018
Vicky Cayetano:
Calls for vaccine mandate for restaurants, bars, gyms
She's hired experienced PR maven Lynne Waters to handle her media, which included issuing a press release last week in which Cayetano urged Ige to require vaccinations for customers of restaurants, bars, spas, gyms, performing arts and outdoor
sporting events. One big upshot for Cayetano is she is the only woman of color in a race featuring two white guys running to lead the most ethnically diverse state in the nation.
Source: Honolulu Civil Beat on 2022 Hawaii Gubernatorial race
Aug 19, 2021
Josh Green:
Invest in healthcare providers so we remain the health state
Some important specific items in the financial plan include:- More resources for the Hawai'i State Loan Repayment Program to help pay off educational loans for primary care and behavioral health providers, so that Hawai'i remains the health state
for generations to come--this investment will address our statewide healthcare provider shortage once-and-for-all.
- Over 60 new positions to expand nursing and medical programs across our UH campuses, with a special emphasis on behavioral health.
-
The expansion of ICU and medical surgical units at Hilo Medical Center with $50 million in CIP funds.
- The firm establishment of the Office of Wellness & Resilience within the
Governor's Office, to focus on trauma informed care.
- Adding critical mental health resources for our schools and our communities.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Hawaii legislature
Jan 23, 2023
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023