Public Meeting on Maui to Address State of Healthcare

Maui Memorial Medical Center, courtesy photo.

By Maui Now Staff

A public meeting to discuss the current state of the public healthcare system will take place at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 23, 2014, at the Maui Memorial Medical Center auditorium in Wailuku.

The meeting is hosted by the state hospital system and also will explore the subsequent challenges that threaten care to the island’s communities, officials said.

State hospital officials will also present a proposed plan to address an anticipated $13 million budget shortfall and long-term solutions to improve the healthcare system over time.

“Healthcare as a business has changed,” said Wesley Lo, Maui region chief executive officer of Hawaiʻi Health System Corporation in a hospital press release.  “And while we remain steadfast in our mission to provide the highest quality of care to our patients, the healthcare environment is forcing us to reevaluate our operations.  We feel its important to educate our community on where we are, where we want to be, and most importantly get feedback on how we plan to get there before we make any decisions.”

The meeting will include a question and answer session, and an opportunity for those in attendance to provide testimony.

Limited street and valet parking is available.

State hospital facilities in Maui County include the Maui Memorial Medical Center, Kula Hospital and the Lānaʻi Community Hospital.