Bill > SR143

This Resolution requests the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation (HHSC), a state agency responsible for public hospitals and clinics, to establish a task force to determine if a new hospital is needed in North Kona, Hawaii, and if so, to assess potential locations. The task force will review previous studies on healthcare needs in the West Hawaii region and collaborate with the Department of Land and Natural Resources' Land Division to identify suitable sites. The task force will be composed of representatives from the Senate, House of Representatives, the Department of Health, the Department of Land and Natural Resources, HHSC, Queen's North Hawaii Community Hospital, and the West Hawaii Regional Health System Board. The task force is expected to hold its first meeting by June 1, 2022, and submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2023, after which it will be dissolved. This action is prompted by the significant population growth in North Kona, the current strain on the existing Kona Community Hospital, and challenges with its location and infrastructure, which have been further highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic.