Select an option below to continue reading this premium story.
Already a Honolulu Star-Advertiser subscriber? Log in now to continue reading.
With HMSA executive compensation packages recently under fire, I was disappointed to read CEO Mark Mugiishi’s response in Sunday’s newspaper, saying competitive executive compensation was necessary to compete with Hawaii’s “for profit” national companies — and then including “Kaiser” as an example of such (“HMSA employees say executive compensation came as a shock”).
Unlike HMSA, Kaiser Permanente is a true 501(c)(3) not-for-profit (NFP), both federally and in Hawaii, whereas it is my understanding that HMSA does not enjoy federal NFP status and operates more as a hybrid NFP. Kaiser’s executive salaries are public record, unlike HMSA’s. And yes, Kaiser’s top executives earn more than HMSA’s; however Kaiser has a national membership base of around 13 million members, compared with HMSA’s 700,000.
I would have appreciated something a little more transparent from Mr. Mugiishi in response to the issues being brought up.
Jeanne Martin
Ala Moana
EXPRESS YOURSELF
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser welcomes all opinions. Want your voice to be heard? Submit a letter to the editor.
>> Write us: We welcome letters up to 150 words, and guest columns of 500-600 words. We reserve the right to edit for clarity and length. Include your name, address and daytime phone number.
>> Mail: Letters to the Editor, Honolulu Star-Advertiser 7 Waterfront Plaza, 500 Ala Moana, Suite #7-500 Honolulu, HI 96813
>> Contact: 529-4831 (phone), letters@staradvertiser.com, staradvertiser.com/editorial/submit-letter Opens in a new tab
