Senator J. Kalani English
Chair, Energy and Environment Commitee
State Capitol, Room 205
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Phone: (808) 587-7225
Contact: Chris Martelles

PRESS RELEASE
March 30, 2004

SENATE RESTORES FUNDING FOR HAWAI'I HEALTH SYSTEMS CORPORATION

In a today's hearing of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, a funding increase deemed vital by physicians and administrators for operations of the public hospital system in Hawai'i, was restored under House Bill 1800 HD1, SD1. The original House version of the bill reduced the increased funding request by Hawai'i Health Systems Corporation (HHSC) by $11.22 million, an amount which was touted by proponents of the increase as a disaster for public medical services in Hawai'i. The Senate concurred with HHSC's request for the $33.22 million, and restored the needed funding under their draft of the bill.

Senator J Kalani English, 6th District (Hana, East and Upcountry Maui Moloka'i, Lana'i & Kaho'olawe) said, "This funding is necessary for the health of our communities, and especially for those who are most vulnerable that live in the rural areas of Maui, Moloka'i and Lana'i. I am delighted that my Senate colleagues recognize the importance of this funding, especially for the neighbor islands. The State hospital system has made great strides in recent years and it deserves the necessary support in providing adequate resources for the doctors and nurses on the front lines of health care."

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