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Posted: Monday, February 18th, 2013 10:22 AM HST

State Legislature considers privatizing hospitals brief

By Associated Press

HONOLULU (AP) — A bill to allow regional hospitals to be bought by private companies has advanced at the State Legislature. The bill was prompted by a bid from nonprofit Banner Health to run hospitals on the Big Island and Maui. Supporters say they favor privatization for public hospitals that lack money and resources to provide quality health care. Opponents worry privatization could lead to job cuts and don’t want a mainland company controlling local healthcare. The bill was approved last week by the Senate Health Committee and sent to the Committee on Ways and Means.