HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0083.003 2012-2014 Page 1 of 1
I kuLIM(1TL
CIMA
Murashige, Laura
1 ,L6 .41 13
From: Steve Godzsak [patnsteve @hawaiiantel.net]
Sent: Tuesday, January 22, 2013 11:11 AM
To: counciltestimony @co.hawaii.hi.us
Attachments: 2013 County Council - HHSCPCTP Letter of Support.doc
Comm. No. 8-3
Ref.
Ref. Date A 2 3 2013
1/22/2013
J. Yoshimoto, Chair and Members of the Hawaii County Council
January 23,2013
West Hawaii Civic Center, Building A
Support of Hawaii Health Systems Corporation Primary Care Training Program
HILO MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION
As BOARD MEMBERS of the Hilo Medical Center Foundation, we resolve to strengthen the state's provider
workforce through the HHSC Primary Care Training Program (HHSCPCTP).
Support of this program and of family medicine graduate education will generate greater numbers of providers
practicing throughout the islands. We endorse the HHSCPCTP as a Means of Closing the Provider Gap in Hawaii.
Investing in training family practice residents in the neighbor islands is expected to yield a meaningful return on
investment.
• Increasing the number of family practice physicians is expected to decrease the number and rate of"potentially
avoidable hospitalizations," which the state now pays for through both its Medicaid program and
unreimbursed care by state's public hospital system, Hawaii Health Systems Corporation.
• In rural areas of the state the impact of the Residency Program and greater access to family medicine
physicians is projected to have a profound impact on lowering the costs of treating expensive and debilitating
conditions. For example, diabetes and coronary heart disease have reached epidemic proportions in Hawaii
County compared to Oahu and other areas of the state where there is greater access to primary care.
• The known economic multiplier effect of additional physicians in Hawaii means each additional physician is
expected to generate 5 new jobs and new tax revenue. (Source: The Lewin Group).
We recognize that the HHSCPCTP uses an advanced model of care delivery that eliminates the need to train or attract
unrealistically high numbers of physicians. The current predominant model of care throughout the country involves
one primary care physician caring for 2,000-2,500 individuals with a small staff, usually including a medical assistant
and receptionist. The team model of care in which the HHSCPCTP is training Hawaii's future providers allows one
physician and their team to care for up to 10,000 patients. Critical team components include a nurse practitioner or
physician assistant and specialists in chronic disease management such as pharmacists, certified diabetes educators,
behavioral health providers, licensed nurses, and well trained non-licensed staff.
We recognize that it is well documented throughout the nation that physicians attending rural training programs are
much more likely to practice in a rural area. More than half of residents trained at rural sites stay and practice in this
setting after they complete their residency. The same can be expected for advanced practice nurses, psychologists, and
clinical pharmacists.
We recognize that a more robust primary care base will attract physicians in other needed specialties to the islands as
they will be guaranteed appropriate referrals. The opportunity to teach residents and other health professions students
on the outer islands will also attract physicians who might otherwise not stay or come to Hawaii.
We strongly urge your support of a resolution for the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation Primary Care Training
Program.
Thank you. Steve Godzsak, Hilo, HI