THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	40
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

Urging the approval of grants-in-aid and other financial means to help rural hospitals and medical centers.

     WHEREAS, the Democratic Party of Hawaii supports services that help the community in areas of health and well-being; and

     WHEREAS, hospitals are having financial difficulties operating with a limited income but having to accommodate uninsured people who need medical help; and

     WHEREAS, hospitals have to accept patients coming to emergency rooms without questioning whether they have the ability to pay; and

     WHEREAS, hospitals may not have enough insured patients to help pay for all of the hospital's expenses; and

     WHEREAS, St. Francis Hospital was permanently closed due to lack of funding; and

     WHEREAS, there is an imminent transition of the management of several Maui public hospitals to a private entity after the State experienced financial difficulties in operating those public hospitals; and

     WHEREAS, Wahiawa General Hospital is in danger of closing due to lack of funding; and

     WHEREAS, hospitals and medical centers are needed throughout the State, especially in rural areas where medical assistance is not readily available; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-ninth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2017, the House of Representatives concurring, that this body is urged to support legislation to approve grants-in-aid and other financial means to help rural hospitals and medical centers continue to operate; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House of Representatives.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title: 

Hospitals; Medical Centers; Rural Areas; Grants-in-Aid