HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-03-16 Letter to Angus L.K. McKelvey re SB 141, SD 2 relating to Physician Workforce AssessmentHarry Kim
Mayor
Wil Okabe
Managing Director
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
VAUU of Paivail*
�
Offirr of for Aa cr
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, Hawaii 96740
(808)323-4444 9 Fax(808)323-4440
March 16, 2017
Representative Angus L.K. McKelvey, Chair
Committee on Higher Education
Hawai'i State Capitol
Honolulu, HI 96813
Dear Chair McKelvey, and members:
RE: SB 141, SD 2
Relating to Physician Workforce Assessment
Thank you for this opportunity to testify in support of SB 141, SD2.
Although healthcare is generally thought to be a "State" rather than a "County"
issue, I have never seen it that way. In fact, in my first terms as Mayor, I declared
healthcare to be a critical issue for Hawaii County, because it was clear that we had a
worsening physician shortage and that healthcare on the neighbor islands was in a
perilous position.
Unfortunately, eight years later, and despite ongoing community efforts, the crisis
continues.
We want and need a Hawai'i Physician Workforce Assessment Program that
does research on the supply and demand of physicians in Hawai'i, and also assists us
in recruiting physicians and increasing career satisfaction of physicians already in
practice. These actions are extremely important as we try to improve healthcare on the
Big Island and throughout the State.
Please act favorably on SB 141.
Res e tfully submitted,
Harry Kim
Mayor
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.