HI SR83

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

Request development of a plan to designate seven specified 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

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

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

Address rural health care challenges including high uninsured rates, limited resources for infrastructure upgrades, and Medicaid/Medicare reimbursement rates below actual service costs