HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-03-27 Letter to Jill Tokuda re HB 89, HD 1 Hospital Sustainability
Wil Okabe
Managing Director
Harry Kim
Mayor
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
County of Hawai‘i
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
Dear Chair Tokuda and Members:
Re: HB 89, HD1 hospital sustainability
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.
Our hospitals provide the safety net that is so vital to neighbor islands,
where the provider shortage is most acute. And with our relatively low-
income population, Hawaii County residents are often reliant on Medicaid.
Please help to keep our hospitals financially viable by acting favorably on HB
89, HD1.
Respectfully submitted,
Harry Kim
Mayor
County of Hawaii
County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.