COM 0376.011 2006-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Many articles in the papers have asked what can be done to improve access to health care in Hawaii. The American Cancer Society believes that, after tobacco use, lack of access to quality health care in the United States could be the biggest barrier to continued progress in the fight against cancer. Most solutions, like a new family practice residency, are years in the future and would not address the currently existing shortage of specialists. The single most important step the County Government could take would be to facilitate adequate parking so patients can see their current health care providers. We understand that there are residential homes in our neighborhood, and are very willing to work toward an accommodation that will enable the needed parking and also address their concerns. As the Director of the only mammography clinic in East Hawaii, please understand what is at stake here. As current President of the Community Surgery Center, I have already asked our staff to park off site. Unlike the County building where workers have reserved parking, our medical staff park on streets outside the centers, which means patients who do cannot find parking have to park blocks away. Additional parking for patients is desperately needed. The Planning Commissioner and the Planning Commission have already approved the additional parking. It is logical and appropriate to vote in favor of rezoning to provide better access to health care in Hilo. Council members voting in favor of rezoning will send the right message to other health care providers who wish to expand and develop critically needed medical services on the Big Island. Doctors whom try to improve or develop medical services here should be supported, not demonized, opposed and criticized. Tens of millions of Americans live next to parking lots. In metropolitan areas in the U.S., including Honolulu, almost every public and private housing complex is situated next to parking lots. I have lived next to parking lots most of my life, and live next to one now. The intent is to have this patient parking lot open during daylight hours and locked in the evenings and weekends. Obviously, a better job should have been done in the past to meet the legitimate concerns of the neighbors, such as better privacy barriers or greenbelts. However, it is both insulting and silly to think that either patients or health care professionals are going to run down to the parking lot to commit crimes during the day. All of us need health care, and it is unreasonable for us to insist on health care for ourselves, but deny access to quality health care for our fellow citizens. Council members who oppose rezoning should understand what their action means. It is simply impractical to insist that patients park offsite and be forced to be bused in to the medical clinics. Patients are already enduring long waits in doctors offices because the shortage of doctors. If forced to endure additional waiting for buses many will simply stop seeking medical care and flood already overburdened emergency rooms.