HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-02-10 Letter to Senator Rosalyn H. Baker and Senator Stanley Chang SB 2535 Relating to Health Care and SB 2814 Relating to the Hilo Medical Center wJor„!• Roy Takemoto
co,. �� - Managing Director
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Harry Kim •, \. 1 �01.
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°+i ° Barbara J. Kossow
�Tr os N►'�-` Deputy Managing Director
County of Hawaii
Office of the Mayor
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, Hawai'i 96740
(808)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440
February 10, 2020
Senator Rosalyn H. Baker, Chair
Senator Stanley Chang, Vice Chair
Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Health
Dear Chair Baker, Vice Chair Chang, and Committee Members:
RE: SB 2535 Relating to Health
SB 2814 Relating to the Hilo Medical Center
Thank you for this opportunity to support two measures to improve cardiac care services
at Hilo Medical Center, the only hospital serving the residents of, and visitors to, Hilo, Puna,
Volcano, and much of the Hamakua Coast.
SB 2535 would fund an expansion of the interventional cardiology treatment that we are
so grateful was previously funded by this Legislature. SB 2814 would focus on the construction
and equipping of a second cardiac lab (again, we are grateful for the funding that made the first
lab possible).
SB 2814 also gives the Legislature an excellent summary of the importance, value and
success that are associated with the previous appropriations that HMC received from you.
For better or worse, over the past few years, I have developed an ongoing and personal
relationship with Hilo Medical Center (HMC) and a number of other medical institutions. HMC
has given me excellent service, and Hawaii should be very pleased with the quality of care it
provides. However, HMC could do so much more if more resources were available, and better
cardiac care has been identified as a priority.
Please act favorably on SB 2535 and SB 2814, and please provide sufficient funding to
make meaningful improvements in Big Island cardiac care. Such investments will result in
saving lives and saving money, as SB 2814 effectively explains.
Res ctfully Submitted,
1:4—
Harry Ki
MAYOR
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.