STATEMENTS FROM SENATOR J. KALANI ENGLISH AND REPRESENTATIVE LYNN DECOITE ON THE CURRENT STATUS OF THE MOLOKAʻI COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER
HONOLULU - Senate Majority Leader J. Kalani English (District 7 - Hāna, East and Upcountry Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi and Kahoʻolawe) offered the following statement regarding the situation at Molokaʻi Community Health Center (MCHC):
"MCHC has lost the confidence of the community and patients that it serves. The organization was founded to provide accessible comprehensive and community health care to the people of Molokaʻi and by having its doors closed in August, they failed to fulfill that mission.
The Human Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is the federal agency responsible for the oversight of MCHC and I believe they need to conduct an investigation to determine if the health center is in compliance with HRSA’s policies and guidelines.
The August closures highlights long-standing organizational issues and I believe residents deserve opportunities to have their voices heard. If the community is asking for change, MCHC should consider honoring that request."
Representative Lynn DeCoite (House District 13 – Haʻikū, Hāna, Kaupō, Kipahulu, Nahiku, Pāʻia, Kahoʻolawe, Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi and Molokini) offered the following statement:
“My biggest concern is for the health, safety and well-being for our community. The Molokaʻi Community Health Center is a vital lifeline for Molokaʻi residents. I have been attending the local community meetings and talking with patients, MCHC administration, board members along with state and federal officials about all of the community concerns.
It has become apparent that the trust between our community and the health center has been broken. The last thing I want is to see the center shutdown or closed. I believe the MCHC board and executive leadership should step down and allow the community to reorganize the health center and build back the trust.”
###