The healthcare system in Hawaii continues to try to make ends meet and it’s not just Kaiser, most of the hospitals are in the same boat. Some of the hospitals went bankrupt and are now trying to recover. Hawaii has been a focus of telemedicine more so perhaps than other states and it also stands to represent some potential 
savings. The Islands also anticipate more joining the roles of the uninsured this year.
Many efforts are being made in Hawaii, such as the “Most Wired Mobile Health Vehicle” last year that was shipped to the mainland.
Hospitals in Hawaii Continue to Lose Money – Desperate Hospitals
On another note, Kaiser is opening a new facility in Vallejo, California, which is state of the art and in California new laws required hospitals either to retrofit or open new facilities to ensure the buildings meet current earthquake codes. The picture here is a reminder back to the Northridge earthquake back in 1994 and the reason for the new facilities being constructed. This is an expense that is not up for debate and all other hospitals in California have the same issues, either retrofit where possible or get a new building. BD
Kaiser Permanente Hawaii recorded an $8.7 million loss for 2009 due in part to a reduction in revenue as more of its members lost their jobs along with employer-sponsored health coverage.
The loss compares to a $7.3 million profit the previous year.
More members enrolled in Quest, which reimburses at a lower rate than the care provided, and required the health maintenance organization to absorb unpaid costs, according to chief financial officer Thomas Risse.
"We feel positive about our ability to manage resources efficiently, despite higher than expected care needs," he said.
Kaiser posts $8.7M loss for 2009 - Pacific Business News (Honolulu):
A new 248-bed hospital is now open in Vallejo that officials say is built to the latest earthquake standards and features state-of-the-art electronic medical record keeping.
Kaiser Permanente Vallejo Medical Center opened to patients Tuesday after two postponements.
Kaiser spokeswoman Joanie Erickson says the hospital is in line with seismic safety laws passed after the 1994 Northridge earthquake. The law required hospitals to meet the earthquake standards by 2008, but Kaiser Vallejo was among many facilities that received an extension.
New Kaiser hospital opens in Vallejo
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