Maui Hospital Board ‘Optimistic’ About Possible Agreement

Maui Region Board chair Avery Chumbley. Bill signing ceremony at Maui Memorial Medical Center. (06.10.15) Photo credit: Ryan Piros/County of Maui.

Maui Region Board chair Avery Chumbley expressed optimism that an agreement between the administration and the United Public Workers Union will be reached soon, allowing the Maui hospital to reengage in the transition process with Kaiser.

Chumbley said the board met today and had a long discussion about delays associated with a court injunction involving the hospital transition from a state entity to a private operator.

Chumbley said he briefed the board on a half-hour discussion that he had with Governor David Ige this week, saying the governor expressed optimism that an agreement would be signed within the next few days.

The board decided to hold off on cuts or adjustments in light of the ‘good news.’  “Our first and foremost concern is patient safety and that safe quality care is provided for all patients,” Chumbley said in a phone interview this afternoon.

If an agreement is reached, both sides can jointly file with the 9th Circuit Court to withdraw the appeal and lift the injunction.

If the injunction is lifted, Chumbley estimated that it may take eight weeks or more to go through the final process which involves technical training of staff in medical systems and equipment.