Rep. Colleen Hanabusa said she voted against a move to keep student loan interest rates low because the Republican-backed measure would have eliminated millions in federal health care funding for Hawaii.

“I fully support the extension of the interest rate reduction, but not at the expense of my constituents and their health,” said Hanabusa in a statement.

Due to an expiring 2007 law, the interest rate on Stafford student loans will automatically double from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent on July 1, 2012 — unless Congress takes action. The White House has appealed to lawmakers to keep the interest rates low, but threatened to veto the measure Hanabusa voted against. (The bill advanced in the House on Friday in a 215-195 vote.)

According to the White House, about 334,000 Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders benefit from Stafford Loans. An extension would mean an average savings of about $1,042 per Native Hawaiian borrower. 

Rep. Mazie Hirono did not vote, according to the govtracker.com.