The Health Committee advanced a bill Friday that would allow St. Francis to borrow $80 million for improvements necessary to reopen or sell the hospitals.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
HONOLULU — West Oahu lawmakers support measures that could help reopen an Ewa Beach hospital.
The Ewa and Waipahu area hasn’t had a hospital since Hawaii Medical Center’s bankruptcy forced the closure of its West campus in December. Hawaii Medical Center East in Liliha closed at the same time.
The result has been inundated emergency rooms at Wahiawa General and Pali Momi hospitals, a shortage of beds islandwide, and the loss of doctors’ offices, said House Health Chairman Ryan Yamane.
Yamane spoke at a press conference with other area representatives and St. Francis Healthcare, which is expected to resume ownership of its former hospital facilities soon.
The Health Committee advanced a bill Friday that would allow St. Francis to borrow $80 million for improvements necessary to reopen or sell the hospitals.