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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2801 |
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TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION FOR HAWAII HEALTH SYSTEMS CORPORATION FOR OPERATIONAL COSTS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
PART I
SECTION 1. The legislature recognizes that the State’s community hospital system, Hawaii health systems corporation, is the fourth largest public hospital system in the nation. The Hawaii health systems corporation's public health facilities provide essential safety-net hospital and long-term care services throughout the state and are often the only hospitals in many rural communities. The predominant portion of the Hawaii health care system's gross revenue payer mix is from government-provided health insurance payers, who are considered high-risk payers because their payments typically do not cover costs and are not especially timely. Hawaii health systems corporation has experienced cash flow difficulties in the past fiscal periods, has initiated contingency strategies to meet revenue shortfalls, and is facing additional financial burdens in the current 2009-2010 fiscal year due to government-provided health insurance plan payment delays. Without available cash to absorb delays in payments, the facilities face an exacerbated financial condition with cash flow difficulties and an increased accounts payable, which strains their ability to remain viable and respond to the needs of the specific communities served.
The purpose of this part is to provide the Hawaii health systems corporation with emergency funding to ensure the continuous delivery of critical health care services and for the payment of its operational costs.
SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $16,397,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2009-2010, to be deposited into the health systems special fund established under section 323F-21, Hawaii Revised Statutes.
SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the health systems special fund the sum of $16,397,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2009-2010, to ensure continuous delivery of critical health care services and for the payment of the operational costs of the Hawaii health systems corporation.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii health systems corporation East Hawaii regional health care system (HTH 212) for the purposes of this part.
PART II
SECTION 4. The Hawaii health systems corporation East Hawaii regional health care system, in the effort to bring more caregivers, including physicians, advance practice registered nurses (nurse practitioners), pharmacists, and nurses to the Island of Hawaii to address a critical caregiver shortage situation, is committed to the establishment of the Big Island rural interdisciplinary program, a program affiliated with the University of Hawaii's John A. Burns school of medicine, school of nursing and dental hygiene, school of pharmacy in Hilo, and baccalaureate nursing department in Hilo. This residency program is intended to familiarize family medicine residents, advance practice registered nurse (nurse practitioner) students, pharmacy residents, and nursing students with the unique health care needs of our neighbor island communities, in addition to serving as a supplementary recruitment and retention option. The ability to bring new caregivers to practice in the community health center ensures that our hospitals will be able to provide necessary health care services to residents and visitors in this health care professional shortage area.
The purpose of this part is to provide emergency funding for the establishment of the Big Island rural interdisciplinary program in the East Hawaii region.
SECTION 5. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $2,500,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2009-2010, for the establishment of the Big Island rural interdisciplinary program in the East Hawaii region.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii health systems corporation East Hawaii regional health care system (HTH 212) for the purposes of this part.
PART III
SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Report Title:
Hawaii Health Systems Corporation; Emergency Funding
Description:
Appropriates emergency funding to the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation to ensure the continuous delivery of critical health care services and for the payment of HHSC's operational costs, and establish the Big Island Rural Interdisciplinary Program in the East Hawaii region. (HB2801 HD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.