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.40-7°7..... Wil Okabe <br /> Managing Director <br /> •/ • • <br /> Harry Kim ' * <br /> . -- • . • <br /> Mayor <br /> Barbara J.Kossow <br /> Deputy Managing Director <br /> •%. • <br /> Count UT Paivail <br /> (Office of fife Alavar <br /> 25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2603 • Hilo,Hawai`i 96720 • (808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553 <br /> KONA: 74-5044 Me Keohokalole Hwy.,Bldg.C • Kailua-Kona,Hawai`i 96740 <br /> (808)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440 <br /> March 17, 2017 <br /> Senator Josh Green, Chair <br /> Committee on Human Services <br /> Hawai'i State Capitol <br /> Honolulu, HI 96813 <br /> Senator Rosalyn H. Baker, Chair <br /> Committee on Human Services <br /> Hawai'i State Capitol <br /> Honolulu, HI 96813 <br /> Dear Chair Green, Chair Baker, and Members: <br /> RE: HB 89 HD 1 <br /> Relating to the Hospital Sustainability Program <br /> Although healthcare is generally thought to be a "State" rather than a "County" issue, I have <br /> never seen it that way. In fact, in my first terms as Mayor, I declared healthcare to be a critical issue <br /> for Hawaii County, because it was clear that we had a worsening physician shortage and that <br /> healthcare on the neighbor islands was in a perilous position. <br /> Unfortunately, eight years later, and despite ongoing community efforts, the crisis continues. <br /> Our hospitals provide the safety net that is so vital to neighbor islands where the provider <br /> shortage is most acute. We need the hospitals to be financially secure so that their services are not in <br /> jeopardy. <br /> Please act favorably of HB 89, with adequate funding and an appropriate effective date. <br /> Re .ectfully submitted, <br /> Lt. <br /> Har ) <br /> -r; <br /> Mayor <br /> County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. <br />