HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-03-27 Letter to Sylvia Luke and Ty J.K. Cullen SB 1404, SD2, HD1 Relating to Loan Repayment for Health Care Professionals
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 Keohokālole Hwy., Bldg C Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740
(808) 323-4444 Fax (808) 323-4440
County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
Wil Okabe
Managing Director
Harry Kim
Mayor
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
March 27, 2019
Representative Sylvia Luke, Chair
Representative Ty J.K. Cullen, Vice Chair
Committee on Finance
Dear Chair Luke, Vice Chair Cullen, and Committee Members:
RE: SB 1404, SD2, HD1 Relating to Loan Repayment for Health Care Professionals
The shortage of health care providers in Hawaiʻi has been well documented, by all accounts is getting
worse, and is of major concern. It appears that a program of loan repayment is currently in operation and is
working to attract providers to federally designated health professional shortage areas, and to geographic
areas of Hawaiʻi found to be underserved.
The House Committee on Lower and Higher Education seems to have narrowed the scope of SB 1404
substantially. Unless there is a flaw in the program of which I am unaware, I hope that your Committee will
recognize the importance of this issue, see the value of the repayment program, and act favorably on
something closer to SB 1404, SD2, while incorporating amendatory language proposed by JABSOM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Harry Kim
MAYOR