9 Jun 2017

Hawaiians urged to speak out against new health plan

9:32 am on 9 June 2017

People in Hawaii are being urged to continue voicing their opposition to a new health plan that some claim will strip people of their health care insurance and medic aid benefits.

According to the Congressional Budget Office the new federal health plan would leave 23 million more people uninsured by 2026 and cut US$834 billion dollars in Medicaid funding.

Doris Segal Matsunaga works at a community health centre in a neighbourhood populated by immigrants.

She said she saw people who were heavily reliant on health and medical assistance.

"At our community health centre, we have many folks who have come from all around the Pacific region, who have moved to Hawaii or else come to Hawaii for medical care. And if this bill were to pass, which we are hoping to stop, it would have a major impact."

Doris Segal Matsunaga helped co-ordinate a protest this week in Honolulu to voice concern over President Trump's efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act.