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Harry Kim <br />Mayor <br />Couttfv 'izifuni`i <br />Wil Okabe <br />Managing Director <br />Barbara J. Kossow <br />Deputy Managing Director <br />Pffirr af thr Alvin <br />25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 • (808) 961-8211 • Fax (808) 961-6553 <br />KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keoholcalole Hwy., Bldg C • Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 <br />(808) 323-4444 • Fax (808) 323-4440 <br />April 2, 2018 <br />Representative Sylvia Luke, Chair <br />Committee on Finance <br />Hawaii State Capitol, Room 308 <br />Honolulu, HI 96813 <br />Representative Ty J.K. Cullen, Vice -Chair <br />Committee on Finance <br />Hawaii State Capitol, Room 308 <br />Honolulu, HI 96813 <br />Dear Chair Luke, Vice -Chair Cullen, and Committee Members: <br />Re: SB 2891, SD 1, HD 2 Relating to Telehealth <br />Hearing Date: 04/03/2018 — 1:30 pm; House Conference Room 308 <br />Thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of SB 2891, SD 1, HD 2. <br />In spite of dedicated efforts over the years, Hawaii continues to have a chronic <br />shortage of health care providers, and the shortage apparently is only getting worse. <br />Telehealth, while not a silver bullet, has the potential to alleviate some of the unmet <br />health care needs that exist, particularly in rural areas. <br />The direct benefit to patients is obvious, but telehealth can also help providers by <br />offering expertise and backup that make it possible for those providers to work in under - <br />resourced areas, comfortable in the knowledge that they are able to provide high quality <br />care in spite of their remote location. <br />Enhancing telehealth is a positive step forward, and your encouragement of its <br />growth would be beneficial in more ways than one. <br />Respectfully submitted, <br />Harry Kim <br />Mayor, County of Hawaii <br />County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. <br />