Report Title:

Molokai General Hospital; Appropriation

Description:

Makes appropriation for Molokai General Hospital to provide financial support for operating costs for fiscal year 2003-2004 and for Lamalama Ka 'Ili Community Health Services programs and general operating costs. (SD1)

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

844

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

making an appropriation for molokai general hospital.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

PART I

SECTION 1. Molokai General Hospital is the only hospital on the island of Molokai, and serves a population of approximately seven thousand residents. The hospital is a thirty-bed facility with fourteen acute care and sixteen long-term care beds. It provides twenty-four hour emergency care, urgent care, acute medical and pediatric inpatient care, low risk midwifery care, radiology services, ultrasound services, laboratory services, respiratory therapy, and physical therapy.

Although Molokai General Hospital is not a state hospital, it receives a monthly subsidy from the State as a community hospital, and also receives aid from the county of Maui and federal grants and contracts. Molokai General Hospital receives most of its financial and management support from being a subsidiary of Queen's Health Systems. However, because of the Queen's Health Systems' recent decrease in revenues and their decision to downsize, Molokai General Hospital's financial support has been severely affected. Thus, Molokai General Hospital must rely on increased financial support from the State, the county of Maui, and federal grants.

The purpose of this part is to provide financial support to Molokai General Hospital for its operating costs.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2003-2004, for the operating costs of Molokai General Hospital.

PART II

SECTION 3. The legislature finds that the health of Molokai residents is at risk, with nearly one in six residents diagnosed with diabetes. Lamalama Ka `Ili Community Health Services of Molokai General Hospital is an organization dedicated to the health and well-being of Molokai residents. Lamalama Ka `Ili offers intensive diabetes care management, including nutrition counseling, free blood sugar checks, and access to a diabetes specialist once a month. Additionally, Lamalama Ka `Ili offers a hospice program, which provides end of life care for Molokai residents and their families, cancer care management, including a cancer patient support group, and a myriad of other programs including those developed for the kupuna, the young, overweight, and other at-risk members of the community.

The purpose of this part is to provide financial support to Molokai General Hospital for Lamalama Ka `Ili Community Health Services to fund its programs and general operating costs.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $150,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2003-2004, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2004-2005, for Molokai General Hospital for Lamalama Ka `Ili Community Health Services programs and general operating costs.

PART III

SECTION 5. The sums appropriated by this Act shall be expended by the Hawaii health systems corporation for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2003.