HI HCR56

Expresses strong support for establishing the Wahiawa Center for Community Health to provide primary medical care services to medically underserved populations in Wahiawa and surrounding rural communities

Documents that 54% of Wahiawa's 43,000 residents are designated as a Medically Underserved Population, with 35% on Medicaid and 44% at or below 200% of the federal poverty level

Notes that the Wahiawa Center for Community Health, incorporated January 25, 2012 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, plans to provide primary care, pediatrics, obstetrics/gynecology, behavioral health, oral health, care coordination, and pharmacy services at a 5,700 square foot facility

Projects that at full capacity the center will create approximately 70 full-time jobs and 39 indirect full-time jobs, contributing $11 million annually to the local economy and $365,000 to state and local tax coffers

Notes the Legislature appropriated $250,000 in 2014 for planning, design, and construction expenses, and that the facility has received federal designations including Community Based Development Organization status and Rural Community Facilities Project status