Report Title:

Molokai General Hospital; Operating Expenses

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to the department of health for operating expenses of Molokai General Hospital.

 


THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1038

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to molokai general hospital.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  Molokai General Hospital – a critical access hospital - is the only hospital on the island of Molokai and serves a population of approximately seven thousand five hundred residents and all visitors.  The hospital is a fifteen-bed facility with thirteen acute-care beds and two long-term care beds.  It represents the only twenty-four-hour emergency services, acute medical and pediatric inpatient care, midwifery (obstetrical) care, radiology, CT, laboratory, and respiratory therapy services on Molokai.

     In addition, it provides mammography and ultrasound,

comprehensive physical therapy services, family planning, chemotherapy, hospice/comfort care, and specialty clinics including endoscopic procedures.  Molokai General Hospital's rural health clinic is one of only five sites in Hawaii (and the only one on Molokai) with a program certified by the American Diabetes Association for diabetes care management.

     Although Molokai General Hospital is not a state hospital, it receives a monthly subsidy from the State as a community hospital.  Molokai General Hospital receives most of its financial and management support as a subsidiary of The Queen's Health Systems. 

     However, The Queen's Health Systems has had challenges due to reimbursement shortfalls in medicaid and medicare programs; increases in uncompensated care to include charity and bad debt along with ongoing losses in behavioral health and other essential community programs to benefit the needy and underserved.  Also, as Hawaii's only verified trauma center, The Queen's Medical Center incurs costs – which continue to rise – to maintain this essential service for the entire State, twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.

     Given these and numerous other community needs supported by the Queen's Health Systems, increased financial support from the State, the county of Maui, and federal and private grants is essential for Molokai General Hospital and the people of Molokai.

     The purpose of this Act 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 $2,000,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009, for operating expenses of Molokai General Hospital.

     SECTION 3.  The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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