News release from the Association for Improved Healthcare on Maui

Once again, it appears that the power brokers are blocking AIHM's Bills to repeal the Certificate of Need process at both the House and the Senate side of the Hawaii State Legislature. 

Despite the 'lip service' of Senator 'Roz' Baker...she is blocking the bill (which she sponsored) and is urging Senator Daniel Ige, Chairman of the Senate Health Committee to NOT HEAR AIHM'S BILL.  Could it be she only pretended to support it?  Thanks again, Senator Baker for turning your back on the people of Maui.   Your behavior is unconscionable.

Representative Ryan Yamane has also indicated that the despite the clear facts proving that Maui Memorial is on the verge of both financial and physical collapse, he is not interested in creating a clear and open process to attract private hospital investment to enter Hawaii's lucrative outer islands.  Representative Yamane has made no effort to hear our voices, understand our situation and accept the sad fact that our people are dying needlessly because of a lack of available quality healthcare in our own community.

The State Legislature needs to provide Maui $350 Million to update Maui Memorial Medical Center or allow us to attract private hospitals that are willing to invest this kind of capital into our community.  While we watch Maui Memorial Medical Center crumble both financially and figuratively, our citizens are crying out to our elected officials to do what is necessary to create interest in private hospital partners.   Some quality hospitals are not interested in 'retrofitting' facilities and placing state-of-the-art equipment in an outdated facility filled with black mold. 

Neighbor islands want the right to attract private, tax paying investors to bring in hospitals that can save the lives of our citizens and children.   We are tired of the NEEDLESS deaths because of hospital mismanagement and poor practices.  We are tired of our leaders and 'playing politics' with our lives and the lives of our loved ones.

This is NOT acceptable.  But this is what is happening.

Wednesday, February 18th is the deadline to get this matter on the docket to be heard on Thursday.  They still can make arrangements to hear our bill and forward it to the Finance Committee and the Ways and Means Committee.

More info: www.AIHM-Maui.org