A federal lawsuit seeks to force Hawaiʻi’s government to more quickly hand out food stamps to families in need because the state has been falling behind.

U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright said he will rule next week, but he was apparently grappling with what could be a life-or-death situation for many.

Federal class action suit alleges new Hawaiʻi healthcare plan illegally discriminates against certain legal residents from three South Pacific nations by drastically reducing their benefits, based on nationality.

Dialysis patient Manuel Sound needs 11 prescriptions for medication. Each month, he’s able to fill four.

A federal judge has blocked cutbacks to state-funded medical care for about 7,500 adult Micronesians from taking effect today.