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Gov. Neil Abercrombie says that a federal district court’s order mandating the state restore full health care benefits for Micronesians in Hawaii will be too costly for the state to shoulder alone: Congress needs to help.

“The decision by the federal court to restore comprehensive medical benefits for residents from the Compact of Free Association will have a significant impact on the state’s resources,” Abercrombie said in a statement Civil Beat. “The responsibility for providing the funds mandated by the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act lies with the White House and the Congress.”

On Monday, Judge Michael Seabright ruled that Compact of Free Association migrants in Hawaii must receive full medical benefits beginning Dec. 15. The ruling could cost the state upwards of $15 million a year, according to Paul Alston, one of the lawyers on the case.

Earlier in July, the Department of Human Services reduced health care benefits to Micronesian immigrants, giving them a cheaper and more limited program than the one available for U.S. citizens under Medicaid. The migrants challenged the program, called Basic Health Hawaii, which restricted coverage to 12 doctors’ visits per year and four prescription medications.

Because of strategic treaties made between the U.S. and Micronesia in the 1980’s, Micronesians can travel freely to the U.S. and are eligible to receive the same services and benefits as American citizens.

Abercrombie told Civil Beat that a collaboration between all levels of government and the public is necessary to ensure that COFA needs are met.

“We need to all work collaboratively to face the many challenges in the state,” Abercrombie said. “Instead of pitting communities against one another, we must all come together – state agencies, community groups and the federal government – during these tough times to make the most of our limited state government and charitable resources.”