Hawaii lawmakers question health exchange’s leader

HONOLULU — Hawaii lawmakers are questioning the head of Hawaii’s health insurance exchange about how the agency plans to support itself financially. They’re considering the possibility of giving the nonprofit money from the state’s general fund.

They’ve also asked whether it would be a good idea to shut down the Hawaii Health Connector entirely and allow the federal government to come in and set up its own exchange.

But Hawaii Attorney General David Louie says that would cause more chaos and wouldn’t solve the problem.

A Senate bill suggesting changes to the Health Connector was heard by a joint House committee Friday. It calls for greater transparency and oversight of the health insurance exchange and changes to its board of directors.