HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii lawmakers and other key officials say the state’s health care law faces an unlikely threat from the Affordable Care Act that could lead to a lower standard of care for state residents. Here’s how Hawaii’s longstanding law compares with federal reforms:
WHO MUST BE OFFERED HEALTH INSURANCE BY THEIR EMPLOYERS?
— Hawaii: All employees, with some exceptions including public employees, seasonal workers and family members
— Federal: No one. Employers are not required to offer health insurance to employees, but larger employers may eventually pay fees if they don’t comply.
HOW MANY HOURS DOES AN EMPLOYEE HAVE TO WORK?
— Hawaii: 20 hours per week.
— Federal: 30 hours per week.
HOW LARGE DOES AN EMPLOYER HAVE TO BE TO TRIGGER REQUIREMENTS?
— Hawaii: An employer with only one employee has to offer health insurance.
— Federal: Employers with more than 100 full-time workers will be subject to the law in 2015, and employers with 50 full-time workers would be impacted in 2016.
HOW MUCH DO EMPLOYEES PAY TOWARD PREMIUMS?
— Hawaii: The employee’s share of the premium cannot be more than 1.5 percent of wages.
— Federal: Employee’s share of the premium cannot be more than 9.5 percent of the employee’s annual household income.
WHAT HAPPENS IF AN EMPLOYER DOESN’T COMPLY?
— Hawaii: Employers can be shut down if the problem persists more than 30 days. They also will be fined $25 per day, or $1 per employee per day, whichever is greater.
— Federal: Employers who don’t comply pay a fine of $2,000 per employee.
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