The state of Hawaii has given their approval to allow Kaiser Permanente Hawaii to increase their premiums by 5.3 percent for 155,000 of their members. This increase affects a total of 5,200 companies whose insurance is through Kaiser Permanente. Kaiser spokeswoman, Laura Lott, stated, “Rate adjustments are necessary to cover rising costs and continue delivering quality care. This rate adjustment is below the national health care cost projection for 2013 because we continually look for new and better ways to deliver high-quality, affordable care.”
However, many businesses owners feel differently. President of the Hawaii Business League, Tim Lyons commented, “Businesses are trying desperately to find ways to cut costs. Even though the economy’s showing some signs of improvement, there’s been no gangbuster solution. A lot of businesses would love to increase prices by 5 percent, but they just can’t or they’ll lose the business; one or the other. It seems (insurers) have this carte blanche for increases, and businesses that are paying it are having a difficult time increasing their own prices by even 1 percent.” The Hawaii Business League represents over 900 small businesses in Hawaii.
Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 1-12-2013, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, Realtor®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
www.myhawaiihomesearch.com
www.myhawaiicondo.com
www.myhawaiidreamhome.com
