Hospitals in crisis in Hilo and Big Island

Aloha,

Well the downturn in the economy has also affected our Hospitals on the Island of Hawaii. Mayor Kim has said "Our hospital situation is in crisis." High operation cost combined with low reimbursements for patients and insurance companies have affect our bottom line. What we are presently seeing is a cut in positions and a near complete hiring freeze. One CEO compared the situation "to a drowning man up to his nose in water". The county is holding a number of working meetings to get the community involved in solutions to help solve the problem. Not a good time for the sick in Hawaii.