ADMINISTRATION REDUCES BURDEN ON HOSPITALS FOR CHARITY CARE

December 4 - Lt. Governor Aiona and Human Services Director Lillian Koller distributed $14,432,000 in new federal funding to public and private hospitals across the state to help ease their financial burden of treating uninsured patients.

"Our Administration remains committed to providing uninsured residents with access to quality healthcare, regardless of their ability to pay," Lt. Governor Aiona said.

The Lingle-Aiona Administration has secured approximately $55 million for Hawai`i hospitals over the past three years. Prior to 2005, Hawai`i hospitals had not received federal funds for charity healthcare since 1994.

"We continue to secure new federal dollars that help our hospitals remain financially viable, as well as expand the state's Medicaid programs so even more of our residents have access to quality health insurance," Lt. Governor Aiona said.

An estimated 91.2 percent of Hawai`i residents have insurance, according to the United Health Foundation. Conversely, 8.8 percent of residents do not have insurance.

"While this money does provide much-needed help for our hospitals, we all know we must do more," Lt. Governor Aiona said.