Connector needs oversight
The Hawaii Health Insurance Connector Exchange has been characterized as an organization with sufficient government oversight ("Hawaii’s health exchange," Star-Advertiser, Island Voices, March 27).
I cannot agree. Unlike all state exchanges established to date, Connector is a nonprofit, private corporation. Connector operates on government funds, but is exempt from the state ethics, sunshine and public rule-making laws.
Connector’s executive director assures us about ethics, conflicts of interests and disclosure of financial interests. Yet, because Connector is a private nonprofit, the public’s view of Connector’s actions on financial conflicts of interest may be limited or nonexistent. Connector must post minutes on its website, but the law is otherwise silent and does not require independent review of the openness or transparency of its mostly self-governing board actions on these issues.
Connector may have good intentions on behalf of our community, but good intentions are not enough. Public funds deserve meaningful public oversight.
Catherine Chang
Honolulu
Lottery good for Hawaii
I know. The Legislature’s line isthat a state lottery will bring organized crime to Hawaii. But as a former resident of Hawaii and a frequent visitor, I am baffled as to why Hawaii has no state lottery, which really could help boost state revenues.
Ilived in Pennsylvania and now Arizona. Both states have lotteries.There is no evidence whatsoever that it brought organized crime. Pennsylvania now has some casinos, as does Arizona on the Indian reservations.
Afriend called me to enterhim into the multi-state Mega-Millions lottery, because Hawaii has no lottery.I had to stand in line to buy the tickets. What a boon to Arizona’s treasury!
Whenever I visit Hawaii, I am saddened to see eyesores along the highways due to lack of funds.Do what is right for the state and the people of Hawaii and stop this spin on organized crime as the reason for no Hawaii state lottery.
Pius M. Kang
Scottsdale, Ariz.
Disabled vets treated unfairly
In the fervent efforts of legislators to get re-elected, bills that get their attention seem to be the bills suggested by constituents who contribute the most dollars to their election campaign funds.
In doing business that way, however, many proposed pieces of legislation that affect those constituents unable to make such large donations are defeated or sometimes simply ignored.
For the past four years, efforts to include permanently disabled veterans in the group of military personnel who have been given an exemption from the cost of re-registering their private vehicles have either languished in committee in-baskets or denied a hearing.
These veterans are individually unemployable, but they do not seek a handout. They seek fair treatment. There are sufficient funds to do this.
The appropriate committees should be given the opportunity to say yea or nay to Senate Bill 103.
Brooks Outland
Waianae
Health care act is 1964 all over
In 1964, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled in Heart of Atlanta Motel v. United States that the Commerce Clause of the Constitution justified the federal government, under the authority of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, outlawing racial segregation and discrimination in commercial and economic places of private ownership.
Today, interpretation of the Commerce Clause once again roils public discussion in another matter of national importance — the Affordable Care Act. However, if race and not class was the issue we would have a very different debate and, most likely, a very different ruling.
In 1964, there were 20 million African-Americans unable to enter the doors of various motels and restaurants. In 1964, the Civil Rights Act immeasurably improved the lives of these and future generations of African-Americans.
Today, there are 43 million Americans too poor to afford health care. Today, this population is unable to enter the doors of the medical establishment.
Mark Helbling
Manoa
Make heath care a basic right
Are the opponents of the Affordable Care Act truly concerned about my civil right to choose?
Seat-belt laws and helmet laws are just two examples of how my ability to choose has been eliminated by government decree. They are great laws necessary to ensure our health and welfare.
But why stop there? Why not ensure the rights of elderly to have affordable health care? Ensure that parents have the right to provide for their young adult children, who are competing for jobs with adults who have more experience. Ensure that people who have pre-existing medical conditions have the right to obtain health insurance in their greatest time of need.
These are basic needs to ensure our health and welfare, and should be rights protected under the Constitution.
Michael Miyamoto
Kaneohe
Car insurance covers neglect
As a retired insurance executive, I would like to point out thatHawaii mandates no-fault auto insurance to protect the public from losses caused by negligence ("Insurance mandate not that unusual," Star-Advertiser, Letters, April 2).
Thelaw does not require you to buy collision coverage. As to personal injury protection, it is an integral part of the liability policy and cannot be purchased separately. The other things mentioned by the writer are also for the protection of others, including the seat-belt law, which protect other passengers in a car.
As to the writer’s question, "Please tell me what country I’m in," you are in the greatest country in the world. If it doesn’t feel like freedom and liberty and justice for all, then perhaps you might want to move to Syria.
Bob Grantham
Kailua
Proposed condo will be a credit
Architects Hawaii is proud to be part of the proposed Symphony Honolulu at the corner of Kapiolani Boulevard and Ward Avenue, across from the Blaisdell Arena. This is an exciting project that by its name and location will enrich the arts experience now and well into the future.
It’s important to point out that the proposed tower meets variance requirements and will not block any view corridors. And, naturally, any 400-foot high-rise will be visible.
Symphony Honolulu has many positives, including extensive energy efficiencies, a green roof, a world-class auto showroom by landowner JN Automotive, nearly a hundred units reserved for workforce housing, and unique, quality design and detailing.
Symphony Honolulu will be another chapter in the Hawaii Community Development Authority’s vision to turn Kakaako into a place where people can work, live and play.
David A. Miller
Chairman, Architects Hawaii
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