Judge: Hawaii can't cut migrants' health care

By MARK NIESSE, The Associated Press
4:16 p.m. September 1, 2009

HONOLULU — A federal judge has ruled Hawaii's government must continue providing lifesaving dialysis and chemotherapy treatments to Pacific island migrants.

Judge Michael Seabright granted a temporary restraining order Tuesday preventing the state from instituting a new, limited health insurance program that would save $15 million.

His decision came as a relief to migrants from Micronesia, Palau and the Marshall Islands who argue the United States and Hawaii governments weren't living up to a health obligation promised after U.S. nuclear weapons tests in Pacific islands a half-century ago.

The ruling keeps in place broad health coverage for dialysis, chemotherapy, prescription drugs and doctor visits.

http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/ ... dex=158908