Declarations

RAND Health Care

“Our analysis suggests eliminating the individual mandate would sharply decrease coverage, but it would not send premiums into a ‘death spiral’ that would make health insurance unaffordable to those who do not qualify for government subsidies.”

—Christine Eibner, a RAND Corp. economist and lead author of a study that shows eliminating the federal mandate in the new healthcare law that every individual carry health insurance would sharply lower the number of people gaining coverage, but would not dramatically increase the cost of buying policies through new insurance exchanges.

Dog Grooming

“I couldn’t believe what they did. I started crying because this is our baby, too, you know.”

—Gladys Kapuwai, who dropped off her dog Dodo for grooming at the Petco store in Kaneohe, Hawaii in July, said that the pet was returned with its ear cut off. She is one of two dog owners who filed a lawsuit claiming their pets were mutilated while being groomed at the pet store.

Aloha Building Codes

“This bill would have undermined key components that are essential to an effective state building code regime…”

—Wanda Edwards, Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety’s director of code development. IBHS opposed a bill to abolish Hawaii’s State Building Code Council. It was voted down by state Senate.

Successor Liability

“The threat of successor liability even if a thorough investigation is undertaken prior to a transaction has had a significant chilling effect on mergers and acquisitions.”

—U.S. Chamber of Commerce and dozens of other trade groups wrote a letter to law enforcement officials laying out the guidance they want regarding the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The groups also asked what circumstances a company is liable for past actions by another company it acquires.