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RA R T ,�50 Bisk,op Sr. #5c�$ GHonolulu, HI 96613 808-864-1776 info grassrootinstitute.org Removing barriers to Hawaii's prosperity November 21, 2024, 12 p.m. West Hawai'i Civic Center, Council Chambers To: Leeward Planning Commission of the County of Hawaii Barbara DeFranco, Chair Mahina Paishon-Duarte,Vice-Chair From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Malia Hill, Policy Director RE: Agenda Item No. 8 — PL-PDI-2024-000009 Aloha Chair DeFranco, Vice-Chair Paishon-Duarte and other members of the Commission, The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii supports the planning director's draft bill relating to hospitals and other healthcare facilities. The bill would allow hospitals, sanitariums, old age, convalescent, nursing and rest homes to be built by-right in industrial-commercial mixed zoning districts. These facilities are considered a by-right use in the general, village and Downtown Hilo commercial zones; however, they are not permitted in any of the county's industrial zones. Expanding the areas in which these healthcare facilities could be built would help potential healthcare providers offer much-needed services to island residents.This is not only a matter of convenience, but also of healthcare affordability and access. Enacting this bill could help address the state's healthcare shortages. A 2023 report from the Hawaii Physician Workforce Assessment Project estimated that Hawai'i County has an unmet need for 206 full-time equivalent physicians.' In addition, a 2022 report by the Healthcare Association of Hawaii estimated that the county is shy about 500 nurses and other non-physician staff of the number required to meet its healthcare needs.2 '"Annual Report on Findings from the Hawai'i Physician Workforce Assessment Project."University of Hawai'i,December 2023,p.5. z"Hawai'i Healthcare Workforce Initiative 2022 Report;' Healthcare Association of Hawaii,p. 7. 1050 Bishop St.#508 Honolulu,HI 96813 808-864-1776 info@grassrootinstitute.org 1