HI SCR148

Request the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation to implement collaboration provisions between community hospitals and community health centers under Hawaii Revised Statutes section 323F-25

Request development of a plan to designate seven specific rural hospitals as federally qualified health centers: Hale Ho'ola Hamakua, Ka'u Hospital, Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital, Kohala Hospital, Kula Hospital, Lanai Community Hospital, and Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital

Designation as federally qualified health centers would expand focus on primary care and prevention, enable cost-based reimbursement for Medicaid services, and provide free malpractice coverage under the Federal Tort Claims Act

Require the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation to submit a progress report and plan to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the 2013 Regular Session convenes

Address challenges faced by rural Hawaii communities including high health care costs, large uninsured populations, and limited resources for infrastructure and technology upgrades