HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-03-19 Letter to John M. Mizuno re SB 1235, SD 2 Relating to Funding for Hilo Medical CenterHarry Kim
Mayor
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Wil Okabe
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Barbara J. Kossow
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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
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March 19, 2018
Representative John M. Mizuno, Chair
Committee on Health and Human Services
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 329
Honolulu, HI 96813
Dear Chair Mizuno and Committee Members:
Re: S 1235, SD 2 Relating to Funding for Hilo Medical Center
Hearing Date: 03-20-18 — 8:30 am; House Conference Room 329
We appreciate the opportunity to endorse the benefits of increasing services at
Hilo Medicai Center, the largest provider of care on the Big Island.
Cardiac care in Hawaii County is clearly substandard by 21st century standards.
The idea that almost 200,000 residents, plus all o r visitors, are served by a system that
requires an airlift to another island, was once thought to be the price of living on a
neighbor island. Now that we see the potential to provide treatment on -island, if only
adequate funding were made available, the lack of local service becomes less tenable.
Hawaii County is a rural area in need of better healthcare. We hope you can
find the funds to provide more services to us.
!strongly support SB 1235, SD 2.
Respectfully submitted,
Harry Kim
Mayor, County of Hawaii
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County ofHawaii is an Elul! Opportunity Provider and Employer.