MEDIA RELEASE
Community health centers in Hawaii to receive more than $10 million for construction and renovation
Community health centers that serve rural communities, low income families and the uninsured will receive $10,302,665 to modernize and expand facilities on Oahu and the Big Island, Senators Daniel K. Inouye and Daniel K. Akaka announced today.
The Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, which oversees five facilities in Waianae, Kapolei and Waipahu, will receive $7,929,695. The Hilo Bay Clinic Inc., which manages six clinics in Hilo, Pahoa, Naalehu and Keaau, will receive $2,372,970.
The money will be used for construction and renovation and will help the clinics expand access to quality health care. The money will create jobs in Hawaii’s construction and healthcare sectors.
“These funds will help increase access to affordable health care for those in our community who struggle to see medical professionals,†said Senator Inouye. “No member of our community should be denied access to quality health care because they cannot pay for it or they live in a rural area of Hawaii. The mission of the community health care centers is to make sure that anyone needing medical attention receives it in a timely fashion and we in government must do all we can to support such a benevolent endeavor.â€
“These federal resources will help two of our vital community health centers address urgent infrastructure needs and create jobs as they continue serving residents in Leeward Oahu and East Hawaii,†said Senator Akaka.
Community Health Centers (CHCs), also known as Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), are non-profit corporations that provide comprehensive, high quality, cost-effective care to underserved segments of the population.
There are 23 Community Health Centers in all four counties.
The money comes through a grant from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The grant program for community health center construction and renovation was expanded under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
For more information about community health centers in Hawaii, please visit http://www.hawaiipca.net/
I am a patient at the Pahoa Bay Clinic and that clinic is disgusting. The front workers are nice BUT the nurses for the doctors like Dr. Peggy Fujimura are just plain rude and seem very prejudice against local folks. I had chronic pain the the nurse questioned my need for a pain killer. I was shocked and it made me NOT want to go to the doctor even when I felt very bad and my pain was at a level 8. I also over heard a nurse for doctor Fujimura comment about having to clean the doctors house before the she returned from a trip off island! I also tried to get a referral to see my off-island specialist and the referral ‘specialist’ was unorganized and just did not know how to do her job. Their attitude at the Pahoa Clinic really is disgraceful. I feel that some one needs to do an undercover investigation of the Pahoa Bay Clinic ASAP! I guess I need to write to Senator Inouye and Akaka as well.