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DHS Jeopardizes Access To Care For Thousands

mnagato — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:56:21 +0000

Plans by the State Department of Human Services to delay payments to QUEST health insurers - totaling $300 million - have the potential to cripple health centers at a time when they are already experiencing financial difficulties as a result of a sharp rise in the number of uninsured patients.

Honolulu Advertiser; Sunday, February 7, 2009: http://bit.ly/c2SaP5

Chris Pablo Memoriam

mokahata — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 00:15:38 +0000

The Hawaii Primary Care Association has lost a stalwart partner, advocate, and friend today with the passing of Mr. Christopher Pablo. He was, most recently, a partner with the law firm of Goodsill Anderson Quinn & Stifel, and concentrated his practice in the areas of government relations and health policy law.

Maui Health Center Reopens with New Name, Location

mnagato — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 01:58:31 +0000

After seven years of planning, permitting, and fundraising, the Community Clinic of Maui has completed its new facility and has resumed operations today. In addition to its new location at 1881 Nani Street in Wailuku, the center will be operating under a new name: M?lama I Ke Ola Health Center.

The center's main phone number remains (808) 871-7772.

DHS Blocked From Cutting Benefits

mnagato — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 03:30:49 +0000

After a TRO request was denied in state court, Lawyers for Equal Justice succeeded in obtaining a Federal judge to temporarily stop the State Department of Human Services from cutting benefits for nearly 8000 migrants covered under Medicaid.

Judge Temporarily Halts Medicaid Cuts

Danger Looms as State Readies Health Care Axe

mnagato — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 06:17:56 +0000

The State's plan to cut millions in spending for previously-covered Medicaid patients will result in the loss of needed health care for nearly 8000 residents and the end of life-saving benefits for hundreds.

Governor Ignores Pleas for Delay
DHS Calls Coverage "Federal" Responsibility Despite Years of State-Sponsored Coverage

Health Centers Receive Service Expansion Grants

mnagato — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 02:39:22 +0000

HHS Secretary Sebelius announced the release of nearly $26 million in service expansion grants to community health centers nationwide. Included in the list of grant recipients was Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services, which received just over $200,000 for enabling services and expanded dental care.

HHS News Release

Molokai Community Health Center Expansion Near

mnagato — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 22:04:03 +0000

As demand for services continued to increase for primary, behavioral, and dental care at the Molokai Community Health Center over the last five years, the need for more space also grew.

The center recently announced finalization of its plans to move into a larger facility at the site of the old Pau Hana Inn, greatly expanding its capacity to meet the growing needs of the Molokai community.

Molokai Community Health Center Looks to the Future

State Cuts Dental Hygiene for Kids

mnagato — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 21:59:08 +0000

The State Department of Health's Dental Hygiene Branch, a victim of budget cuts and layoffs, will end its dental hygiene programs for children, with untold ramifications for their future dental care.

Kids Dental Aid Terminated

State Cuts Health Benefits

mnagato — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 08:15:33 +0000

$42 million in cuts by the State Department of Human Services (DHS) will eliminate the existing medical coverage for nearly 8000 residents. The new coverage proposed by DHS will shift the cost burden onto Community Health Centers and hospitals at a time when they are already coping with significant financial difficulties and severely curtail needed services for COFA migrants.

http://tinyurl.com/lxhgk3

Stimulus Funds Community Health Center homeless programs

mnagato — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 16:43:01 +0000

Three Oahu community health centers instrumental in providing essential health care services to the growing homeless population received nearly $1 million in Federal stimulus funds from the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The stimulus dollars are vital to the continuing operation of Hawaii community health centers struggling to cope with increased demand in the face of massive cutbacks in government services, particularly for homeless program funding.

http://tinyurl.com/n5vttg

Ohio Guardsmen providing free medical care

mokahata — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 18:33:28 +0000

More than 500 of Hawai'i's medically underserved residents will receive free health care services, thanks to the Hawai'i and Ohio Air National Guards.
Advertisement

Some 34 Ohio Guard members, including doctors, dentists, nurses and medics, are treating patients in Waimanalo, Kailua, Kaka'ako, Mo'ili'ili, Kalihi and Hale'iwa as part of their training.

Click here for full article.

Expansion of Kokua Kalihi Valley health center underway

mnagato — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 20:26:25 +0000

From almost the moment they moved into their current location on North School Street, employees and patients at Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services (KKV) knew that they'd need more elbow room - and soon. After several years of planning KKV now has the resources - thanks to a recent EDA grant - to nearly double its existing clinic space.

http://tinyurl.com/m7u9sp

Caring for The Uninsured

mnagato — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 03:35:02 +0000

Harsh economic times have lead to an increasing number of Hawai'i residents finding themselves suddenly without health insurance. In this report, KGMB9 News looks at the remarkable community contributions of Waimanalo Health Center in addressing the needs of uninsured patients, and AlohaCare's Dr. Rio Banner talks about Hawai'i Covering Kids as an essential part of addressing coverage gaps.

http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/19267/40

Isle health care law questioned

jnosorio — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:26:57 +0000

According to the Advertiser Staff and News Services, "A law enacted in Hawai'i in 1974 that requires employers to provide health insurance for employees working at least 20 hours a week is being cited by researchers who are skeptical of similar mandates being suggested in the argument for universal health care.

Obama Steers Health Debate Out of Capital

jnosorio — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:37:02 +0000

According to Sheryl Gay Stolberg of The New York Times, "WASHINGTON — With Democrats deeply divided over health legislation, President Obama is trying to enlist the nation’s governors and his own army of grass-roots supporters in a bid to increase pressure on lawmakers without getting himself mired in the messy battle playing out on Capitol Hill.

Hawaii community health centers get $8.5 million in stimulus money

jnosorio — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:48:41 +0000

According to the Advertiser Staff, "lady Michelle Obama today announced the release of $8,550,050 in grants to community health centers in Hawaii, the White House said.

The grants will help address immediate and pressing health center facility and equipment needs and increase access to health care for millions in Hawaii."

Click here for full article.

Obama Presses Doctors to Back Health Care Overhaul

jnosorio — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:48:02 +0000

Accoreding to the Associated Press, "CHICAGO (AP) -- President Barack Obama bluntly told doctors Monday he is against their highest legislative priority -- limiting malpractice awards -- and earned a smattering of boos from an audience he was here to court for his health care overhaul plans.

Pushing anew to reshape the nation's health care delivery system and extend coverage to the millions who don't have it, Obama went before the annual meeting of the American Medical Association and took on others who take issue with parts of his plan as well."

Waimanalo Opens Community's 1st Dental Clinic for Uninsured and Low-Income

jnosorio — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 18:26:48 +0000

In an article submitted by AlohaCare in the Honolulu Advertiser, "After nearly three years spent securing $500,000 in government, private and foundation grants, Waimanalo Health Center has opened a brand new 1,275- square foot dental clinic, providing much needed dental care to an estimated 4,500 area residents living in Waimanalo and Ko'olaupoko.

Health Care Spending Disparities Stir a Fight

jnosorio — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:30:32 +0000

According to Robert Pear of the New York Times,

"WASHINGTON — President Obama recently summoned aides to the Oval Office to discuss a magazine article investigating why the border town of McAllen, Tex., was the country’s most expensive place for health care. The article became required reading in the White House, with Mr. Obama even citing it at a meeting last week with two dozen Democratic senators.

State Medicaid cuts would have painful, devastating impact

jnosorio — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:57:28 +0000

In an op-ed for the Honolulu Advertiser, Beth Giesting states "We know that we're all going to be sharing Hawai'i's economic pain for at least the next several years, but cuts to the state Medicaid program would be not only highly counter-productive but downright foolish on several levels. Our healthcare industry is a big part of the local economy; taking another $100 million or so in revenues out of that sector is bound to cause further harm."

Click here for full article.