HI SR24

Maui County faces a 41% overall physician shortage (approximately 179 full-time equivalent physicians) and a 35% primary care deficit, worsened by the 2023 wildfires that destroyed healthcare facilities and displaced medical workers.

The resolution urges Maui Health to collaborate with the John A. Burns School of Medicine, Hawaii Rural Health Transformation Plan administrators, and federally qualified health centers (Hana Health and Malama I Ke Ola Health Center) to establish a full-time medical residency program on Maui.

Hawaii recently received $188,892,440 in first-year federal funding for the Rural Health Transformation Program, which includes dedicated support for expanding rural training sites and residencies.

Maui Health is requested to leverage Rural Health Transformation Plan funds along with federal grants, state appropriations, and private partnerships to fund the residency program.

Maui Health must submit a report on findings, recommendations, and funding status to the Legislature no later than 20 days before the 2027 Regular Session.