In Maui, the health care crisis isn’t just a topic of discussion; it’s a life-and-death reality for many. Patients wait for hours or even months for essential treatments, like dialysis and biopsies. Surgeries happen late at night due to a lack of available operating rooms, forcing families to seek care elsewhere when they shouldn’t have to.
These issues won’t go away by themselves. They stem from a set of poor policy choices that have restricted access and created a complicated health care system. Consolidation of hospitals and insurers, along with specific laws aimed at maintaining quality, have actually made things worse. Instead of improving access, these laws have limited the number of facilities and services available.
Consider this: Maui, with roughly the same population as Little Rock, Arkansas, has only one major hospital system. By contrast, Little Rock has four. This lack of competition leads to longer wait times and less access to necessary services. Patients often face impossible choices, like traveling off-island just to see a specialist.
The reality is stark. For patients needing routine treatments, even scheduling an appointment can feel like a marathon. Dialysis appointments can be at odd hours, and people with urgent health issues are often left in long queues. For many, having insurance is not the safety net it should be; it feels instead like a ticket to a congested system.
Experts agree that consolidation in health care often leads to higher costs without better care. A study by the American Hospital Association shows that monopolized markets raise prices and reduce quality. Patients end up paying more while receiving less personalized service. It’s a troubling cycle that leaves many feeling trapped.
On Maui, this is evident as patients navigate a two-tier system. Some are pushed to larger networks that send them off-island for procedures that could be done locally. The incentive often leans towards higher-margin services instead of what communities really need.
Small businesses and local economies also suffer when health care becomes too expensive. When premiums rise, smaller employers struggle to afford coverage for their workers. This pushes them to cut staff or limit growth. The options for independent workers diminish, forcing even the self-employed to consider leaving their trades for corporate positions.
The impact of health care issues extends far beyond the hospital. It influences every facet of life, from housing to food prices, ultimately shaping residents’ abilities to thrive in Maui.
Governor Josh Green faces a critical moment. There are actionable steps he can take to improve accessibility to health services. Measures like enforcing existing regulations on health care consolidation and promoting competition within Hawaiʻi’s insurance market can help. Ending the practice where facilities get approved but never built can also restore hope for many people seeking care.
What’s at stake is more than just access to health services. It’s about preserving the autonomy and well-being of Hawaiʻi’s families and workers. As health care costs rise, they ripple through the economy, affecting everyone. Our community deserves better than a convoluted system that prioritizes profits over patient care.
For more insights on these important issues, check out reports by the Hawaii News Now and the American Hospital Association.
