Feb

02

Impact of Hawaii Medical Center’s Closing on Health Services Discussed

Articles / Health / Press Releases

HONOLULU –  Several  representatives from the health community will be briefing the Senate Committee on Health on the status of services that have been diverted since the closing of Hawaii Medical Center.  The briefing will take place on Tuesday, February 7, 2012, at 10 a.m. in the State Capitol Auditorium. 

Our goal is to better understand the timetable for the issuance of a new provider number, when the hospital could reopen, who might potentially acquire the facilities, and what the current impact on healthcare access has been,” said Senator Josh Green, M.D., chair of the Senate Committee on Health.  “We will be able to better assess the direction we’re heading as a result of the hearing.”

The potential acquisition of Hawaii Medical Center’s facilities will also be discussed.

A representative from the following organizations has been invited to provide commentary:

Hawaii Health Systems Corporation

Department of Health

Queens Hospital

Hawaii Pacific Health

Kaiser

HMSA

Honolulu EMS

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Jan

23

Kidney Liver Transplant Bill Passes Out of Conference

Health

 

On January 23, 2012, the Hawaii State Legislature held a conference meeting on House Bill 608 titled, “Kidney; Liver; Transplants; Appropriation,” relating to Health. The Committee Conferees recommended that the bill be passed with amendments. The Conference draft of the bill will now go to the Senate and House Chambers for voting.

The purpose of the measure is to assist in ensuring that organ transplant patients are able to remain in the State to receive efficient and timely care. House Bill 608 appropriates $1.8 million to sustain a qualified provider with Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services certification to provide kidney and liver transplant operations in Hawaii.

The Committee found that there is a critical need to support ongoing services provided by a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services-certified kidney and liver transplant provider in Hawaii to enable residents to receive proper care within the State, eliminating the need for them to travel great distances to receive treatment on the Mainland.

In late 2011,  the Hawaii Medical Center-East’s (HMC) Liver Center shut down. It was the only organ transplant hospital in the Pacific.  HMC’s Liver Center offered intensive care for patients with advanced liver failure and liver disease.  Following the closure of HMC’s Liver Center, Queen’s Medical Center announced that it would step in to take over the organ transplant program, pending federal approval.

If the measure is signed into law,  $1.5 million dollars will be distributed to the Queen’s Medical Center of the kidney transplant program and $300,000 will to go to the National Kidney Foundation for supportive services .

To view the status of the bill click here.

 

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Nov

02

Informational Briefing to Address Vital Medication Shortage

Articles / Health / Hearing Schedule Archive

HONOLULU — The Senate Committee on Health, chaired by Senator Josh Green, M.D., will hold an informational briefing to address vital medical shortages in Hawaii and nationally on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at 10 a.m. in the State Capitol’s Conference Room 225. 

“The medication shortages are making it tough for patients and their families who rely on certain prescription drugs. Medications being in short supply are also a widespread issue for hospitals in Hawaii and across the nation,” said Sen. Josh Green, M.D., who represents North and South Kohala and North and South Kona.

The following parties have been invited to provide comments on the matter:

Department of Health

State Board of Pharmacy

Queen’s Medical Center- Head of Oncology

Hawaii State Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund

Hawaii Medical Service Association

Kaiser Permanente

Johnson and Johnson

Pfizer Inc.

American Cancer Society

Public testimony will be accepted.

Anyone wishing to testify should submit testimony in one of the following ways by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, November 7:

  • By Email:  Testimony may be emailed if less than 5 pages in length, to the Committee at HTHTestimony@Capitol.hawaii.gov.  Please indicate the measure, date and time of the hearing. Email sent to individual offices or any other Senate office will not be accepted.
  • By Web: Testimony may be submitted online if less than 4MB in size, at http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/emailtestimony.
  • In person:  1 copy of their testimony to the committee clerk, Room 222, State Capitol.
  • By fax:  Testimony may be faxed if less than 5 pages in length, to the Senate Sergeant-At-Arms Office at 586-6659 or 1-800-586-6659 (toll free for neighbor islands), at least 24 hours prior to the hearing.  When faxing, please indicate to which committee the testimony is being submitted and the date and time of the hearing.

Please note:  If you submit your written testimony after 4:00 p.m. on Monday, November 7, please sign-in at the staff table to testify verbally.  A copy of your testimony may not be available during the hearing but will be posted online for the public after the hearing.

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