Public input on HHSC sought today (8/19)

by The Garden Island

Members of the state Legislature will meet at 5 p.m. today at the Kaua‘i High School cafeteria on Lala Road in Lihu‘e to discuss the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, a state news release says.

The HHSC recently informed House and Senate members that they are facing a roughly $62 million shortfall by the end of the next fiscal year (June 30, 2009).
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For FY 2009, HHSC will receive a general fund subsidy of $53.6 million. Its annual expenditure for FY 2009 is estimated to be about $400 million from its special fund.

Prior to the 2008 legislative session, HHSC requested from Gov. Linda Lingle an emergency appropriation of $14 million for FY 2008 and a $57 million supplemental budget request for FY 2009.

The governor provided the emergency request, but denied the supplemental request. The Legislature provided the $14 million emergency appropriation, but could not provide any supplemental appropriation as the Legislature reduced all state department budgets by about 4 percent, totaling $45 million. HHSC was spared from the 4 percent budget reduction.

However, in recent weeks, the governor has announced she intends to restrict at least 4 percent of the subsidy provided to HHSC facilities’ operations, the press release says. HHSC and its regions have announced a variety of measures to address the impending revenue shortfall.

Among other issues the Joint Committee will explore are the following: