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LWV-Hawaii Legislative Testimony

HB 2670

Relating to
Health (Authority)

House Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce (CPC) - chair: Herkes, vice chair: Schatz

Monday, February 13, 2006, 2:05 p.m. Conference Room 325

Testifier: Jean Aoki

Click here to view HB2670

The League of Women Voters of Hawaii supports HB 2670 which would set up a health authority which would develop a comprehensive heath plan for the State of Hawaii.

There is no question that Hawaii like the rest of the nation is facing increasingly difficult problems in providing affordable health care for its citizens. From access to health care to the escalating costs of that care, the problems will increase in severity with an aging population and growing population. A comprehensive plan that will provide for access to health care for all would necessarily have to address the problem that was highlighted in this morning’s Advertiser about the lack of enough orthopedic surgeons in Hawaii County and the need to fly the patient to Honolulu for care. A good plan would be one that would ensure a plentiful supply of health care providers.

Through the years, the legislature has had to pass laws to fix one problem or the other in health care. We believe that with health care looming as a monumental problem for the whole nation, a comprehensive plan is needed so that we have a seamless system in place which provides access to basic health care for all and which works to contain health care costs by eliminating waste and duplication among other things.

I was very much encouraged to see the US Women’s Chamber of Commerce declaring that “We believe access to affordable healthcare is a right --- not a privilege.” a belief that is shared by the members of the League of Women Voters.

We urge the passage of HB 2670.

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