HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0852.003 2018-2020 JoAnn Bishop Freed
73-1166 Mahilani Drive
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 COUNTY CLERK
COUNTY OF HAWAII
RECEIVED
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Date APR 0 7 2020
Testimony in Support of Hawaii County Resolution #565-20
April 7, 2020
Aloha Members of the West Hawaii County Council. I am writing this testimony to share
with you my strong support of Resolution 565-20 that makes sure that Hawaii residents
have access to all Medicaid health plans available in the state. When I first heard about
the plan proposed by the State's Department of Human Services and the method by
which the proposal process was conducted, I had to write directly to them to let them
know how unfair and discriminatory I believed the process to be,
I was very happy to hear that this Resolution was drafted in defense of allowing
individuals in our county to be able to continue with their choice of provider and plan.
The results of the current DHS proposal will mean that over 19,000 people will have to
change their plan and try to find another provider. The disruption of losing one's provider
at any time is so stressful, and at a time like this it is unconscionable to force people to do
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that. Even if we weren't in a medical crisis, it would be totally unfair to force only
neighbor islanders into this situation.
I wish to add my voice to those who are in full support of Resolution #565-20 and thank
you for caring enough about your constituents to draft it. Please let me know if there is
anything else I can do to support this effort.
Sincerely,
JoAnn Bishop Freed
Comm. No. .
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