I have a huge favor to ask.
Please indulge me TODAY PLEASE during my birthday week – and chip in $20, or $72, or $100, $200 or whatever you can to help 8 citizen plaintiffs in Acasio V State House of Representatives. They are fighting in court for us while the State House is fighting for themselves.
Contributions today if possible and by January 22 are especially needed.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/protect-open-government-in-hawaii
My sincerest thanks to all who have so graciously wished me a happy birthday – it pains me to ask you for more…but then again I must…and I only have a birthday once per year!
Sincerely and with great appreciation for any help you are able to offer.
Gary Hooser
About garyhooser
This blog represents my thoughts as an individual person and does not represent the official position of any organization I may be affiliated with. I presently serve as volunteer President of the Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action (H.A.P.A.) www.hapahi.org I am the former Vice-Chair of the Democratic Party of Hawaii. In another past life, I was an elected member of the Kauai County Council, a Hawaii State Senator, and Majority Leader, and the Director of Environmental Quality Control for the State of Hawaii - in an even earlier incarnation I was an entrepreneur and small business owner. Yes, I am one of the luckiest guys on the planet. Please visit my website AND sign up for my newsletter (unlike any email newsletter you have ever gotten, of that I am sure) - http://www.garyhooser.com/#four
“Come to the edge.”
“We can’t. We’re afraid.”
“Come to the edge.”
“We can’t. We will fall!”
“Come to the edge.”
And they came.
And he pushed them.
And they flew.
- Christopher Logue (b.1926)
GaryHooser's Blog 
Aloha Gary.
It’s is a bit late to bring up the HMSA-HPH merger but my concerns continue to grow. All things being equal, number of patients, number of MDs, number of medical facilities, how is this potential merger going to change that financially for the better? Something is not being mentioned. It sounds like the MDs will will be paid according to patient outcome? It sounds like HMSA patients might have an advantage over those of us with other medical insurance for access to our Dr. Or will the rules adversely affect other insurers to the point that they will not cover medical treatment by an HMSA-HPH provider?
The main points are not being made clear. We understand that financially HPH is struggling. But who is going to be thrown under the bus to fix that? The MDs who might be encouraged to head to another state? Or will it be patients with outside insurance which no longer accepts HPH payments for being too low?
Can you figure it out for us. Something is not being divulged.
Thanks for the note and nudge Valerie. While I am “aware” of various red flags…such as the ones you have mentioned…and this issue is on my “radar”…I have no background or experience of any significance…and my personal capacity is already maxed out at the moment…So unfortunately, I cannot figure this out…so sorry…I will keep looking and thinking about it and if I discover anything that is helpful I will share it…but for the moment there are just too many issues and challenges for me…as an individual…to take on. Isn’t there an existing “group” or nonprofit organization that is challenging this? You might want to review the testimony that has been submitted and identify individuals and groups/orgs that share your perspective/concerns…and reach out to join them? Just thinking…again…I sincerely regret that I cannot jump on this…but cannot.
You are appreciated, as is your response!