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We all agree that the crisis is imminent. State Safety He Net has failed to meet behavioral health and substance abuse treatment needs, especially for people in dire circumstances.
In 2021, the latest official response to the perceived shortage of care will be Congress passing legislation requiring the State Department of Health (DOH) to take over operations of two aging facilities in Oahu’s regional hospital administration. That was it.
The idea initially received strong support from state health officials and the agency’s Oahu Board of Trustees as a means of expanding capacity. But at a recent legislative briefing, the new Health Department’s administration told the House Finance Committee that the mandate should be scrapped, arguing that the solution is inelegant and costly.
A compelling case has been made that the fix would be cumbersome and have avoidable costs, but healthcare professionals should at least present a framework for planning to upgrade hospitals and significantly improve services. I have.
Hawaii Health Systems Corporation’s two Oahu-area facilities, Leahi Hospital and Maluhia Nursing Home, serve primarily skilled nursing patients. In contrast, mental health and substance abuse programs are part of DOH’s mission.
The tide of official stance on the transfer of facilities from HHSC to DOH was actually beginning to shift late in the 2021 legislative session. That was before Senate Bill 628, enacted as Act 212, became law. After the DOH leadership was replaced, the agency testified to the House Finance Committee that the DOH was “graciously withdrawing its support” from the bill and requested more time to make “comprehensive recommendations.” Either way, the bill passed.
Ultimately, these recommendations were made clear in a recent report from a working group authorized by Act 212 to “manage and manage the additional steps necessary to complete the transfer of the Oahu area to the Department of Health.” Develop a comprehensive business plan and transition framework to manage”. “
The 24-page report outlines some staggering cost figures. It is estimated that the move itself will cost $4.1 million to carry out, with $3.7 million in fiscal 2023 and $3.7 million in 2026. will incur ongoing additional costs that are expected to increase to $6.6 million.
Indeed, it is more than enough to create sticker shock. said that the costs would arise from
Units currently working under contracts with lower wages and benefits will be aligned with those of corresponding units in other agencies, she said. means.
Other identified cost centers include adding operational staff. Tsuji also emphasized regulations prohibiting the mixing of groups within a facility.
Another argument was raised. Creating a new management of HHSC functions within DOH creates unnecessary duplication of costs.
The report instead proposed establishing HHSC’s Oahu region as an “independent sub-agency of the DOH,” a transition that would cost $1.7 million to implement, followed by an additional $1.3 million annually. I calculated that it would take Substantial capital upgrade funding for aging facilities will also be required.
This sounds good, but it lacks necessary detail. What does DOH want to achieve and how will the facility be used?
For Act 212 to be repealed and Hawaii’s goal of better health care to be achieved, these voids must be filled before another strategy can be launched.
