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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted on: Thursday, February 6, 2003

Health chief to seek money for community centers

By Robbie Dingeman
Advertiser Health Writer

Health Director Chiyome Fukino said yesterday that the state is trying to find more money to help community health centers care for the uninsured.

She said the state already provides some assistance and is working to find a longer-term solution. Her statement came in response to comments made by a beleaguered health center executive earlier this week after a budget cut was announced.

"Do I feel that health centers need to be supported? Yes, and so does the governor," Fukino said.

On Tuesday, Richard Bettini, chief executive officer of the Wai'anae Coast Comprehensive Health Center, criticized Fukino and the Lingle administration for cutting a $1.65 million supplemental appropriation for the state's 10 community health centers.

The private, nonprofit health centers care for patients with no health insurance and those who face other barriers to medical care. Community health centers say they are often the provider of last resort.

Fukino said she spoke with Lingle about the issue late yesterday and both understand the value of community health centers and will work to help them. "We will go and see what we can do with this budget," Fukino said.

Fukino said the health centers receive $1.3 million annually and that help will continue. But she said the administration must cut spending, so the $1.65 million — which had yet to be spent more than halfway through the current fiscal year — was flagged by analysts as a source of money in a tight year.

"Health centers shouldn't have to keep coming back to the Legislature each year to beg for money," she said. "We need to plan better."