Lawmakers override governor’s veto of Maui hospital bill

[MADem]

1. Anyone from HI who can give us the scoop, here?

The 2nd half of that piece says that this is on hold pending appeal?

The state authorized the takeover of Maui Memorial Medical Center, Kula Hospital and Clinic, and Lanai Community Hospital by a private partner last year. Kaiser was selected to take control of the financially troubled hospitals in September.

Ige said he is in discussions with the attorney general about the veto override and that he stands by his decision. He issued a statement saying “this transaction must be done correctly for the common good. The concerns expressed in my veto message have not changed.”

Meanwhile, the Ige administration has been negotiating with a union suing the state over claims that the privatization violates the contracts clause of the U.S. Constitution and interferes with collective bargaining agreements. The union represents 1,500 Hawaii Health Systems Corp. employees.

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued an injunction in May that put the privatization effort on hold.