HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-01-26 Letter to Rosalyn H. Baker re Sb 2891, Relating to TelehealthHarry Kim
Alaror
County of Hawai i
Office of the Mayor
Wil Okabe
Managing Director
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
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 • Fax (808) 323-4440
January 26, 2018
Senator Rosalyn H. Baker, Chair
Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health
Hawai'i State Capitol, Room 230
Honolulu, HI 96813
Dear Chair Baker and Committee Members:
RE: SB 2891, Relating to Telehealth
Public Hearing: 02-01-18; 9:30 am — Conf. Rm. 229
Thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of SB 2891.
In spite of dedicated efforts over the years, Hawaii continues to have a chronic
shortage of health care providers, and the shortage apparently is only getting worse.
Telehealth, while not a silver bullet, has the potential to alleviate some of the unmet
needs that exist, particularly in rural areas.
The direct benefit to patients is obvious, but telehealth can also help providers by
offering expertise and backup that make it possible for those providers to work in
underserved areas, comfortable in the knowledge that they are able to provide high
quality care in spite of their remote location.
Enhancing telehealth is a positive step forward, and your encouragement of its
growth would be beneficial in more ways than one.
Respectfully submitted,
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.