THE LEGISLATURE

THE TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE

INTERIM OF 2008

COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS

Senator Rosalyn H. Baker, Chair

Senator Shan S. Tsutsui, Vice Chair

COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Rep. Marcus R. Oshiro, Chair

Rep. Marilyn B. Lee, Vice Chair

NOTICE OF INFORMATIONAL BRIEFING

DATE:	Monday, August 18, 2008
TIME:	5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
PLACE:	Kauai High School Cafeteria 3577 Lala Road Lihue, HI  96766

A G E N D A

The Hawaii Health Systems Corporation (HHSC) recently informed House and Senate members that they are facing an approximately $62 million shortfall by the end of fiscal year (FY) 2009 (June 30, 2009).

For FY 2009, HHSC will receive a general fund subsidy of $53.6 million.  Their annual expenditure for FY 2009 is estimated to be about $400 million from their special fund.

Prior to the 2008 legislative session, HHSC requested from the Governor an emergency appropriation of $14 million for FY 2008 and a $57 million supplemental budget request for FY 2009.  The Governor provided the emergency request, but denied the supplemental request.  The Legislature provided the $14 million emergency appropriation, but could not provide any supplemental appropriation as the Legislature reduced all state department budgets by about 4%, totaling $45 million.  HHSC was spared from the 4% budget reduction.  However, in recent weeks, the Governor has announced she intends to restrict at least 4% of the subsidy provided to HHSC facilities’ operations.  HHSC and their regions have announced a variety of measures to address the impending revenue shortfall.

Among other issues the Joint Committee will explore are the following:

· Any impacts to services from HHSC actions to mitigate and manage their $62 million shortfall;

· Whether HHSC can implement all their plans without Legislative approval;

· Any impacts to communities served by HHSC facilities;

· What assistance has been provided by the Governor's administration;

· Options and actions to help HHSC continue to fulfill its mission; and

· Any fiscal and management issues critical to the operation of HHSC.

The following have been invited to participate:

HHSC Administration – Overview

Kauai Regional Board – Kauai plans

Public comments

Information on HHSC's System-Wide and Kauai Regional plans to address their revenue shortfall may be accessed on the Capitol website at:

http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/site1/docs/gettestimony.asp?query=FIN-WAM_08-18-08_HHSC

Plans to address HHSC's revenue shortfalls for each region will be accessible through links on the appropriate regional briefing notices.

The Joint Committee will be holding informational briefings on:

Maui – August 11, 2008

East Hawaii – August 13, 2008

West Hawaii – August 14, 2008

Kauai – August 18, 2008

Please reference each respective informational briefing notice for locations and times.

The Joint Committee previously held an informational briefing on the overall system and Oahu Region on July 11, 2008.  Materials from that briefing are available at:

http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/site1/docs/gettestimony.asp?query=FIN-WAM_07-11-08_HHSC

Public Testimony

For this briefing, the Joint Committee will accept public testimony on the HHSC System-Wide plans and Kauai Regional plans.  Persons wishing to testify should submit testimony in one of the following ways by Thursday, August 14, 2008 at 3:00 PM:

• In person:  1 copy of their testimony to the committee clerk, Room 210, State Capitol.
• By fax:  Comments 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).
• By Email:  Comments may be emailed if less than 5 pages in length, to the Joint Committee at testimony@capitol.hawaii.gov.  Email sent to individual offices or any other Senate office will not be accepted.

Please note:

• Testimony received by the Joint Committee by 3:00 PM on Thursday, August 14, 2008 will be provided to the public (via the Capitol website) shortly before the start of the informational briefing.

• Persons wishing to submit testimony after 3:00 PM on Thursday, August 14, 2008 must bring 35 copies of their comments to the briefing on Kauai.

If you require special assistance or auxiliary aids and/or services to participate in the public hearing process (i.e., sign language interpreter or wheelchair accessibility), please contact the Committee Clerk at 586-6800 or 586-6200 at least 24 hours prior to the hearing for arrangements.  Prompt requests submitted help to ensure the availability of qualified individuals and appropriate accommodations.

For further information, please call the Committee Clerk at 586-6800 or 586-6200.

_____________________________________ Rep. Marcus R. Oshiro Chair	_____________________________________ Senator Rosalyn H. Baker Chair
_____________________________________ Rep. Calvin K.Y. Say Speaker of the House	_____________________________________ Senator Colleen Hanabusa Senate President