Hawaii State Specific Strategies

Hawaii's Prepaid Health Care Act (PHCA) - Hawaii's Prepaid Health Care Act of 1974 [1]requires nearly all employers to provide health insurance to their employees who worked 20 hours or more a week for four consecutive weeks. Employees must maintain the minimum of at least 20 hours a week to remain eligible.   Hawaii was the first state to implement an employer mandate and has one of highest rates of individuals covered under employer-sponsored insurance.   Starting in 2004, the Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations has conducted random audits of employers to assure compliance with PHCA.