Differences On How To Improve Access To Medical Services
side note: Hospitals in Hawaii are facing delays in Medicaid reimbursements due to the state’s $86 million dollar budget shortfall. The budget deficit has become a hot topic in the democratic primary for governor. Former mayor of Honolulu, Mufi Hannemann says that if elected he would mandate an audit of all federal spending. He vows to never touch Medicaid reimbursement monies and blames budget shortfalls on corruption and careless spending in government. His opponent, former U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, rebukes Hannemann’s claims and states that an audit is unnecessary. Abercrombie also addresses the concern over the high number of doctors and physicians who are retiring early or leaving the state because of the high cost of medical malpractice insurance. Abercrombie proposes using federal funding to provide medical malpractice insurance to doctors who treat Medicare and Medicaid patients as a way to stem the exodus of health professionals by lowering the cost of medical malpractice insurance. Click to receive a free quote on medical malpractice insurance in Hawaii
Denby Fawcett
KITV 4 News Reporter
HONOLULU — Hawaii is facing the same health care problems sweeping the rest of the United States.
Federal dollars for medical care are shrinking when more people are seeking medical services.
Hawaii hospitals and other private care providers face delays in their Medicaid reimbursements this year due to the state’s $86 million shortfall.
Hawaii’s two front runners in the democratic primary for governor, former U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie and former Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann were asked at a forum Wednesday what they would do to stop the state’s continuing Medicaid shortfalls.
Hannemann said if elected governor, he would never raid Medicaid funds to fund other budget shortfalls.
Editor’s Note: This article originally was found on KITV.com, but it has been moved or deleted. Even though we don’t have the full article, we will archive what we have here.
