The debate regarding the national 2018 fiscal budget and the government shutdown Jan. 20 for almost three days impacted federal community health center and children’s health insurance programs statewide.
The debate regarding the national 2018 fiscal budget and the government shutdown Jan. 20 for almost three days impacted federal community health center and children’s health insurance programs statewide.
U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, who has been a strong supporter of community health centers, demonstrated her concern by donating 100 percent of her pay during the shutdown to Hawaii’s federally qualified health centers.
“Sen. Hirono has long been a staunch advocate for FQHCs, both at home and in Washington, and we were humbled by her donation and commitment,” said Harold Wallace, CEO of East Hawaii’s Bay Clinic, one of the recipients of her support.
“Her work to ensure that everyone has access to quality and affordable health care is critical to the overall health and welfare of our Hawaii community and we will work to support her efforts however we can.”
Hirono’s salary during the federal government shutdown was divided equally among the 14 FQHCs across the state, including Hamakua Health Center and West Hawaii Community Health Center on the Big Island.
The nonprofit Bay Clinic, with 180 employees at nine sites, serves more than 22,000 patients.
“We are a community-directed health care organization that provides quality primary and preventive care services to the people of East Hawaii,” Wallace said. “We ensure that patient-centered, culturally responsive and affordable health care services are locally accessible in our communities.”
For more information, visit www.bayclinic.org.
