2018-02-26 Letter to Donovan M. Dela Cruz and Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran re SB 1235, Proposed SD 2 Relating to Funding for Hilo Medical Center

Home

Harry Kim Mayor Wil Okabe Managing Director Barbara J. Kossow Deputy Managing Director Offirr �k fhr 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • (808) 961-8211 • Fax (808) 961-6553 KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg C • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 (808) 323-4444 • Fax (808) 323-4440 February 26, 2018 Senator Donovan M. Dela Cruz, Chair Committee on Ways and Means Hawaii State Capitol, Room 211 Honolulu, HI 96813 Senator Gilbert S.C. Keith-Agaran, Vice -Chair Committee on Ways and Means Hawaii State Capitol, Room 211 Honolulu, HI 96813 Dear Chair Dela Cruz, Vice -Chair Keith-Agaran and Committee Members: Re SB 1235, Proposed SD 2 Relating to Funding for Hilo Medical Center Hearing Date: 02/28/18 — 10:30 am; Conference Room 211 S; 1235, proposed SD 2, is not our initiative, nor is it our 1 tention to highjack a bill that was intended to fund Hana and Waianae. However, if the authors of SB 1235 and the affected communities have no objections, we appreciate the opportunity to endorse the benefits of increasing services at Hilo Medical Center, the largest provider of care on the Big Island. Cardiac care in Hawaii County is clearly substandard by 21st century standards. The idea that almost 200,000 residents, plus all our visitors, are served by a system that requires an airlift to another island, was once thought to be the price of living on a neighbor island. Now that we see the potential to provide treatment on -island, if only adequate funding were made available, the lack of local service becomes less tenable. Hana, Waianae, and Hawaii County are rural areas in need of better healthcare. We hope you can find the funds to provide more services to them, and to us. Respectfully submitted, Harry Ki Mayor, County of Hawaii County of Hawai6i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer