HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-01-31 Letter to John Mizuno and Bertrand Kobayashi RE: HB 2015Harry Kim
Mayor
County of Hawaii
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
January 31, 2020
Representative John M. Mizuno, Chair
Representative Bertrand Kobayashi, Vice Chair
Committee on Health
Hawaii State Legislature
Dear Chair Mizuno, Vice Chair Kobayashi, and Committee Members:
RE: HB 2105, Relating to Collective Mediation by Physicians
Roy Takemoto
Managing Director
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
Hawai`i's healthcare system is in crisis. We do not have enough providers, and
many of the providers we have are at or near retirement age. There is little prospect
that we will somehow generate enough new providers to replace those we are losing,
and the situation gets worse with every passing year.
The Legislature has actively tried to address the problem with innovative
approaches, but it is clear that more must be done. If we do not improve the economics
of practicing medicine, we will not have enough medical practitioners to meet the needs
of our citizenry. We are at a breaking point.
There are many reforms to be tried, but one of the most promising is to allow
collective action by physicians when dealing with health benefit plans. Such an
innovation will not be without cost—if the plans have to pay out more, they will charge
higher premiums. But the alternative—the status quo—is unacceptable. It is time to
authorize "collective mediation."
hope you will approve HB 2105.
Res tfully Submitted,
rry Kim
MAYOR
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.