HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-04-02 Letter to Sylvia Luke and Ty J.K. Cullen re SB 2891, SD 1, HD 2 Relating to TelehealthHarry Kim
Mayor
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Wil Okabe
Managing Director
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
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April 2, 2018
Representative Sylvia Luke, Chair
Committee on Finance
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 308
Honolulu, HI 96813
Representative Ty J.K. Cullen, Vice -Chair
Committee on Finance
Hawaii State Capitol, Room 308
Honolulu, HI 96813
Dear Chair Luke, Vice -Chair Cullen, and Committee Members:
Re: SB 2891, SD 1, HD 2 Relating to Telehealth
Hearing Date: 04/03/2018 — 1:30 pm; House Conference Room 308
Thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of SB 2891, SD 1, HD 2.
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
health care 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 under -
resourced 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,
Harry Kim
Mayor, County of Hawaii
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.