The head of Hawaii’s troubled health connector says the federal government has denied a request that would have improved its financial situation.

Officials from Hawaii Health Connector had asked for more time to spend what remains of about $205 million in federal funds. Most of the money has to be spent by the end of 2014. But the federal government denied the request made by Hawaii and other states.

Interim Executive Director Tom Matsuda says it was not the news they wanted to hear, but it’s where things currently stand.

The Hawaii Legislature has been considering giving money to the Connector if it can’t come up with a plan to sustain itself. Matsuda has said he will present lawmakers with a sustainability plan in the next few weeks.