Healthcare: improving access and supporting providers
Published on December 31, 2024 in Main
Governor Green speaks with healthcare workers during bill signing.
The Hawai’i Healthcare Educational Loan Repayment Program (HELP) continues to provide critical support to our healthcare workforce, student loan repayment for doctors, nurses and social workers. This $15 million program has already awarded scholarships to 1,200 people, including expects 900 more over the next two years. The program has was further strengthened with a $5 million contribution from Salesforce co-founder Marc Benioff. In exchange for two years of service in Hawai’i, health professionals from dozens of specialties can benefit from capped loan repayments at $50,000.
In addition to the HELP program, Governor Green also signed a Senate bill (SB1035, now Act 047) that exempts certain medical services from the general excise. tax (GET). This legislation will provide relief to health care system by specifically exempting hospitals, infirmaries, medical clinics, health care facilities, pharmacies and GET medical and dental providers on goods or services that are reimbursed by Medicaid, Medicare or TRICARE.
Law 047 is seen as a potential solution to the state’s problems. shortage of nearly 800 doctors. Legislation received endorsements from over 155 healthcare professionals and a survey of physicians at the John A. Burns School of Medicine has noted that the removal of the GET on medical services could be an effective way to recruit and retain more doctors.