Hawaii lawmakers have extended a legislative special session aimed at keeping three Maui county hospitals afloat while they transition from state ownership to Kaiser Permanente, reports Hawaii News Now.
Lawmakers called the special session last week after Gov. David Ige vetoed Senate Bill 2077, which would have assisted state employees affected by the privatization of Maui Memorial, KulaHospital and Clinic and LanaiCommunityHospital. The bill would have provided $40 million to Maui county hospital employees with the option to receive severance benefits during the privatization process.
Kaiser is scheduled to take over the hospitals Oct.1. Hospital employees' state contracts do not expire until June 2017.
Legislators voted to extend the special session as officials and hospital unions continue contract negotiations.