Panelists include local health care leaders, government officials, and experts from the Mainland. Among the panelists are: Dr. Cynthia Jean Goto, Hawaii Medical Association's president; J.P. Schmidt, Hawaii State Insurance commissioner; and Dr. David Teuscher, of Texas Medical Association.

The forum is set for 5: 30 p.m. Tuesday in Mabel Smyth Auditorium at The Queen's Conference Center.

Physicians, legislators, and concerned public are invited to attend and participate in the question and answer session.

While the access-to-care crisis has been most evident on Neighbor Islands, Hawai'i's only certified trauma center located in Honolulu has an alarming shortage of doctors willing to volunteer for emergency and trauma call. The shortage jeopardizes the ability for patients to have urgent treatment in life-threatening situations.

"Our patient access to care crisis has reached a critical stage, and we implore Hawai'i's legislators to take action and fix the problem," HMA President Goto said in a written statement. "This forum will highlight the issues and solutions available so that Hawai'i's citizens have physicians available when they need them most."