Proposistion 72: Hawaii Offers a Look at Mandatory Healthcare

[Quetzal]

Hawaii Offers a Look at Mandatory Healthcare

KIHEI, Hawaii — As Californians weigh whether to require employers to provide health insurance, Hawaii, the only state with such a mandate, provides a glimpse of what could be ahead.

For 30 years, all Hawaii businesses have been required to provide insurance to any employee who works at least 20 hours for four consecutive weeks. The state was an inspiration for Proposition 72, the referendum on California's Nov. 2 ballot that would impose a similar mandate on businesses with at least 50 workers.

Only 10% of Hawaiians are without insurance — one of the lowest rates in the country and about half of California's 19%, one of the highest. Hawaiians are healthier than the national average by several key measures.

But not all is perfect in the tropics. As premiums have escalated, Hawaii's Prepaid Health Care Act has become increasingly unpopular among employers. Some have found ways — legal and not — around the mandate, and there are growing calls to relieve the burden on businesses.

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Hawaii Offers a Look at Mandatory Healthcare

[shoelace414]

1. busniesses hate it

because it costs them money.. well.. we should just do away with the minimum wage and vacation time too