2017-03-27 Letter to Jill Tokuda re HB 89, HD 1 Hospital Sustainability

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Wil Okabe Managing Director Harry Kim Mayor Barbara J. Kossow Deputy Managing Director County of Hawai‘i Office of the Mayor 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603  Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720  (808) 961-8211  Fax (808) 961-6553 KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg C  Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740 (808) 323-4444  Fax (808) 323-4440 Dear Chair Tokuda and Members: Re: HB 89, HD1 hospital sustainability Although healthcare is generally thought to be a “State” rather than a “County” issue, I have never seen it that way. In fact, in my first terms as Mayor, I declared healthcare to be a critical issue for Hawaii County, because it was clear that we had a worsening physician shortage and that healthcare on the neighbor islands was in a perilous position. Unfortunately, eight years later, and despite ongoing community efforts, the crisis continues. Our hospitals provide the safety net that is so vital to neighbor islands, where the provider shortage is most acute. And with our relatively low- income population, Hawaii County residents are often reliant on Medicaid. Please help to keep our hospitals financially viable by acting favorably on HB 89, HD1. Respectfully submitted, Harry Kim Mayor County of Hawaii County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.