|
THE SENATE |
S.R. NO. |
59 |
|
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019 |
|
|
|
STATE OF HAWAII |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
SENATE RESOLUTION
encouraging the university of Hawaii John a. burns school of medicine to study the impact and feasibility of creating a teaching hospital in west hawaii.
WHEREAS, Hawaii faces a growing shortage of physicians to provide direct care to patients; and
WHEREAS, the Hawaii Physician Workforce Project reported in October 2018 that Hawaii had a shortage of five hundred thirteen full-time equivalent positions; and
WHEREAS, when adjusted for island geography and unmet specialty-specific needs by county, the estimated unmet need for physicians was seven hundred ninety-seven positions, an increase from seven hundred sixty-nine positions in the previous year; and
WHEREAS, the County of Hawaii has a large and medically underserved rural community; and
WHEREAS, the residential population of Hawaii island is one of the fastest growing populations in the State; and
WHEREAS, the County of Hawaii welcomes a large number of domestic and international visitors throughout the year; and
WHEREAS, a teaching hospital on Hawaii island may help to attract and retain a high-quality, diverse physician workforce to the State; and
WHEREAS, additionally, a teaching hospital will provide a broader and more complete network of care for individuals on Hawaii island; and
WHEREAS, in 2016, the Legislature recognized the potential benefits of a teaching hospital on Hawaii island by appropriating $500,000 for a feasibility study for a teaching hospital in Kona; and
WHEREAS, however, the appropriated funds lapsed prior to the initiation of the study; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirtieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2019, that the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine is encouraged to study the impact and feasibility of creating a teaching hospital in west Hawaii; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2020; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the University of Hawaii Board of Regents, President of the University of Hawaii, and Dean of the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine.
|
|
OFFERED BY: |
_____________________________ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine; Teaching Hospital; Study; West Hawaii