Consumer and community organizers are urging citizens to contact the governor and representatives to remove insurance companies from the state’s Hawaii Health Connector board.

The groups, including Kokua Council and AARP Hawaii, say the companies can serve on an advisory panel to help with implementation of the Hawaii Health Insurance Exchange, but their membership on the exchange board would represent a conflict of interest.

“We feel consumers should guide development of health plans, not monopoly insurers,” said Kokua Council’s Larry Geller, something he said was akin to foxes guarding a hen house.

Geller and Co. also want lawmakers to remove new language in Senate Bill 2434 that they say creates a split-rate pool for Hawaii — something they believe will increase insurance premium rates. The also complain that the Hawaii exchange is not subject to Sunshine Law.

The federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 provides for the establishment of local health exchanges in states to connect buyers and sellers of health and dental insurance.

Larry Geller at a Capitol Rotunda press conference.