Governor Linda Lingle has named members to serve on the board of directors of the Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation, as well as five regional system boards for O‘ahu, Kaua‘i, Maui, East Hawai‘i and West Hawai‘i. The corporate board and regional
Governor Linda Lingle has named members to serve on the board of directors of the Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation, as well as five regional system boards for O‘ahu, Kaua‘i, Maui, East Hawai‘i and West Hawai‘i. The corporate board and regional boards were established under a new law — Act 290 — that was passed this year by the Legislature.
The corporate statewide board consists of 15 members, including at least two representatives each from O‘ahu, Kaua‘i, Maui, East Hawai‘i and West Hawai‘i. The five regional boards, which have 12 members each, will have authority over operations and governance of the HHSC facilities that are located in their regions.
Lingle selected the appointees from lists submitted by the Senate president, House speaker, the regional public health facility management advisory committee, and the medical staff of the public health facilities in each appropriate jurisdiction. The appointed members will serve staggered terms of two or four years each. All of the appointments are subject to Senate confirmation.
One position on the statewide board and two positions on the East Hawai‘i regional board are currently vacant and are in the process of being filled.
“These new regional boards consist of members who are closest to the people they are meant to serve and who understand the diverse health care needs of their local communities,” said Lingle, in a press release. “The regional boards have an opportunity to improve local access to health care providers.”
Earlier this year, Lingle allowed the legislation that created the new board structure to become law without her signature because of concerns that the corporate and regional boards are exempt from Sunshine Laws. In addition, the regional boards are exempt from the State Procurement Code.
Established in 1996, Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation oversees the state’s community hospital system, providing health care to the neighbor islands and rural areas. HHSC oversees 13 state hospitals, including three in Maui County, three in East Hawai‘i, two in West Hawai‘i, two on Kaua‘i and three on O‘ahu.
