Posted on: Thursday, April 14, 2005

Unexpected grant delights health clinic

By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer

KAHUKU — An unexpected $650,000 federal grant to the Ko'olauloa Community Health and Wellness Center surprised members of the clinic who had been told that they had virtually no chance of receiving the funds.

The Bureau of Primary Health Care announced the award Monday, but the clinic won't receive the funds until December. The clinic's board of directors are walking on air, said Mike Hopewell, financial officer for the group.

The center, which treated 927 patients last month, was told there was virtually no chance it would receive funding, Hopewell said. The funds were earmarked for clinics that treat migrants and the homeless, he said.

So the Ko'olauloa clinic set out to find other resources. But the award means the clinic can expand services, he said. The money will allow the clinic to expand primary medical and mental health service and provide dental service as well, Hopewell said.

"We're so ecstatic, it's hard to be a little disappointed that we're not getting the money until December," Hopewell said.

With the award came other good news. For certain patients, the center will be paid cost-base reimbursement that translates into more money for patient care. Hopewell estimated that would bring in another $100,000 a year through this program.

The center can also apply for protection under the Federal Tort Claim Act that would mean the clinic wouldn't have to buy medical malpractice insurance, Hopewell said.

Also, the center will be able to purchase drugs from the federal government at reduced cost and pass that savings to its clients, he said.

After two years of planning, the center opened in November despite receiving word that it would not receive the coveted federal grant. Loans, donations and contributions from the community, doctors and staff made it possible. In its first month of operation, 700 patients showed up.

U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka and Rep. Ed Case sent out notices of the award Tuesday.

More than 38 percent of the residents in the community served by the Ko'olauloa health center fall below the federal poverty level, Akaka said. Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders comprise 61 percent of the region's population, Akaka said, and more than 40 percent of the center's clients do not have health insurance.

"Given the limited access to health and dental care services for residents of the region, the funding (the clinic) will receive is important and timely," he said.

Another $650,000 was granted to establish the West Hawai'i Community Health Center in Kailua-Kona, Case said.

Case said he lobbied the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to support the two clinics last year. The grant will allow for a "circle of primary and preventive health care on Hawai'i island," he said.

Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com or 234-5266.