According to The Associated Press, U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright on Monday issued a preliminary injunction, ordering restoration of full benefits to the Pacific islanders.
The ruling follows a legal challenge mounted by a group of five Micronesian organizations in Hawaii represented by Lawyers for Equal Justice claiming the state is discriminating against Micronesians by forcing them into a new Basic Health Hawaii medical insurance plan. The state of Hawaii had sought a motion to dismiss the lawsuit which Seabright, denied indicating that the chances of its success were good.
The AP quoted Seabright as saying “Plaintiffs would suffer irreparable harm” if left without adequate medical coverage.
Many Micronesians in Hawaii, covered by a longtime “compact” agreement with the U.S. providing financial assistance and immigration rights in exchange for strategic military access, arrive here with serious health problems.
The state of Hawaii had tried to sharply reduce health care benefits affecting more than 7,500 Pacific islanders living in the state, a move that would have saved about $8 million.
