Committee backs feasibility study for a Volcano rural health clinic

The House Committee on Health on April 17 recommended SCR 21 SD1, asking the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation East Hawaii Regional Health Care System to conduct a feasibility study on establishing a rural health clinic or comparable access point to serve the Volcano community.

Dan Brinkman, appearing by videoconference, told the committee the proposal aligns with regional strategic plans and would extend local primary and urgent care to Volcano, where he said there are no suitable buildings to convert and mobile services have proven limited. "Much of what's in the resolution is very much in alignment with what we would seek to offer," Brinkman said, adding that the effort would require "a substantial bit of capital investment" for site preparation and design.

Kathleen, a resident of Volcano Village and a retired public-health nurse who said she sits on the Volcano Health Collaborative board, and Melissa, who also submitted written testimony, each said the feasibility study is an important first step to improve access for residents, visitors, workers and elders who rely on local services.

The committee recorded its recommendation in favor of SCR 21 SD1 and moved the measure forward. Representative Amato was noted as excused for the remainder of the agenda during the recorded vote.

What happens next: The recommendation will be included in the committee report and transmitted to the Senate as the committee's position on SCR 21 SD1. The resolution calls for the regional health system to complete a feasibility assessment; any capital outlays or site work would require later appropriations or local approvals.