News

As you are aware, State lawmakers are considering legislation that will privatize the state's safety net hospital system. The House Committee on Health heard the House bills on Friday, while the Senate will hear the Senate bills on Wednesday, Feb. 11
at 9 a.m.
 
As written now, S.B. 795 gives the private company a 25-year lease at $1 per year, requires continued state operating and capital subsidies and only guarantees six months of employment for current employees if they meet the private operator's job requirements.  
 
Additional concerning language in S.B. 795:

• The personnel system for the new facility . . . shall not be governed by state laws that apply to public officers and employees of the state including the civil service and collective bargaining laws.
• Current employees shall be transitioned to the private party wage and benefit structure. (There is no language allowing for union negotiation).
• The newly privatized hospital shall offer all employees of the current hospital continued employment for six months — if they satisfy the job qualifications.
• Operating subsidy — for the first ten years of the lease, the state shall jointly fund capital expenditures.
• The state will guarantee a maximum subsidy equal to the 2014 fiscal year subsidy for 10 years.

Make your voice heard on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 9 a.m., Senate Committee on Health, state capitol conference room 016. Submit testimony by email to hthtestimony@capitol.hawaii.gov.