Comments about political maneuvering, endorsements and candidate survival have dogged a teacher union-backed health plan bill that may have difficulty getting out of the Legislature after the state House stopped the measure yesterday. House denies health
bill’s floor voteThe Senate moves on its version
of the union-backed planBy Crystal Kua
ckua@starbulletin.com"It is what I'll call an uphill battle," said Karen Ginoza, president of the Hawaii State Teachers Association.
The bill would allow the HSTA and other public employee unions to set up voluntary employee beneficiary association trusts. The HSTA would then continue with its own health plan instead of being forced into a single state-run system through reforms passed last year by the Legislature.
The House's action came a day after a majority in the Senate successfully pulled its version of the bill out of committee, where it was stalled, for a floor vote during which Senate Bill 2961, Senate Draft 1, received preliminary approval.
Gov. Ben Cayetano said yesterday that the move by the Senate came at a time when lawmakers were more concerned with "political survival" during an election year.
"No question in my mind -- for some of them to turn around and vote 180 degrees to what they voted the last time," Cayetano said.
He said senators should have been proud of the health-care reforms they passed last year.
"When they did it, it was under dire circumstances politically. I mean, the unions were really upset with them, but they did it because the handwriting was on the wall," Cayetano said. "What happened (Wednesday) was not good."
Ginoza said she does not believe that fears of not getting an election endorsement from the union played a role in what the Senate did.
"It's a very different atmosphere and reception that we got in the Senate side, where on the House side we have not had this kind of dialogue," Ginoza said after a public hearing the Senate Education Committee held on the bill.
Ginoza said if the Senate gives final approval to the bill and transmits it to the House, she does not expect the House to act.
The House decided 44-3 against having a floor vote on House Bill 1989.
"Put it back on the shelf, and revisit it next session," Rep. Paul Whalen (R, South Kona) said.
Some lawmakers who voted to prevent the vote apparently did so in a show of support to Speaker Calvin Say (D, Palolo).
"I will not vote against it in deference to you," said Rep. Joe Souki (D, Wailuku), who voted against last year's health fund measure.
But Rep. Terry Yoshinaga (D, Moiliili) tried in vain to get the bill voted on. "It's not just an economic issue, it's a human issue."
At least one gubernatorial candidate weighed in on the issue during a speaking engagement at the University of Hawaii.
"I think (the teachers) have a good case," Linda Lingle said in response to a question.
Lingle said she believes any existing VEBA trust should be allowed to exist as long as the plan also covers retirees and there are no additional costs to the taxpayers.
"If those two things are true, I would absolutely support them," Lingle said.
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