Ige to Host Forum to Discuss Future of Healthcare on Maui

Governor David Ige signs HB1075 at MMMC alongside Hawaii lawmakers and HHSC Maui Region board and leadership. (06.10.15) Photo credit: Ryan Piros/County of Maui.

By Maui Now Staff

Gov. David Ige will be on Maui this week to gather public input on the future of healthcare and the availability of medical services on Maui.

Gov. Ige joins the Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corporation Maui Regional Board in hosting the forum scheduled to take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 11, at the Maui Waena Intermediate Cafeteria in Kahului.

Residents are encouraged to attend and public testimony will be accepted during the forum.

Gov. Ige signed House Bill 1075 on June 10, 2015, that allows Maui Region facilities including Maui Memorial Medical Center, Kula Hospital and the Lānaʻi Community Hospital to partner with a private healthcare system.

A private-public partnership was raised as an option as health care administrators looked for a way to bring financial support, resources and better quality care and expanded services to Maui County.

Governor David Ige (lt) and Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa (rt). Bill signing ceremony at Maui Memorial Medical Center. (06.10.15) Photo credit: Ryan Piros/County of Maui.

The meeting will also provide an update on status of partnership pursuit and answer questions on the potential transition.

The Maui Region of HHSC serves more than 11,000 inpatients and sees over 45,000 people in the emergency room each year.

The Maui Memorial Medical Center is the only full-service, acute-care medical facility in the County, and the only hospital outside of O‘ahu providing a full range of cardiac services, including open heart surgery and angioplasty.

The facility currently employs more than 1,500 individuals.