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rY, Wil Okabe <br /> Managing Director <br /> Harry Kim • •:AV: r.el • • <br /> Mayor .••t <br /> _ Barbara J.Kossow <br /> r• *of e'''' ' Deputy Managing Director <br /> Gantt of !uftIMt t <br /> Warr of flit Atavor <br /> 25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2603 • Hilo,Hawaii 96720 • (808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553 <br /> KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy,Bldg.C • Kailua-Kona,Hawaii 96740 <br /> (808)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440 <br /> March 15, 2017 <br /> Representative Dee Morikawa, Chair <br /> Committee on Human Services <br /> Hawai'i State Capitol <br /> Honolulu, HI 96813 <br /> Representative Della Au Belatti, Chair <br /> Committee on Health <br /> Hawai'i State Capitol <br /> Honolulu, HI 96813 <br /> Dear Chairs Morikawa, Belatti, and Committee members: <br /> RE: SB 397, SD 1 <br /> Relating to the Hospital Sustainability Program <br /> Although healthcare is generally thought to be a "State" rather than a "County" issue, I have <br /> never seen it that way. In fact, in my first terms as Mayor, I declared healthcare to be a critical issue <br /> for Hawaii County, because it was clear that we had a worsening physician shortage and that <br /> healthcare on the neighbor islands was in a perilous position. <br /> Unfortunately, eight years later, and despite ongoing community efforts, the crisis continues. <br /> Our hospitals provide the safety net that is so vital to neighbor islands where the provider <br /> shortage is most acute. With our relatively low-income population, Hawaii County residents are often <br /> reliant on Medicaid <br /> Please act favorably of SB 397, SD1. <br /> Re ectfully submitted, <br /> arry Kim <br /> Mayor <br /> County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer <br />