Oakland, Calif.-based Kaiser Permanente's planned takeover of Maui County's three public hospitals in Hawaii is one step closer to reality after state lawmakers approved funding for the operational transition, according to a Maui Now report.
Kaiser is slated to take over Hawaii Health Systems Corp.'s Maui Region, which includes Wailuku-based Maui Memorial Medical Center, Kula (Hawaii) Hospital and Lanai Community Hospital in Lanai City, as of July 1.
This week, Hawaii lawmakers designated approximately $73 million for transition-related expenses, including monies for employee separation benefits and capital projects such as repairs, renovations and upgrades, according to the report.
"The transfer of operations of Maui Memorial Medical Center to Kaiser Permanente is the largest privatization effort in Hawaii," Hawaii House Speaker Joseph Souki said in the report. "Once completed it will mean a more efficient and more effective healthcare future for the residents of Maui County."