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In our View for Tuesday -- July 19, 2005
• Workers' comp care could become a Kaua‘i crisis
Workers' comp care could become a Kaua‘i crisis
Hawai‘i's reputation as a state with one of the worst business climates in the United States sometimes comes back to bite Kaua‘i especially hard.
Currently up in the air is a decision by Wilcox Health to do away with services for workers compensation claims. One doctor, who has left Wilcox, is requesting that patients with workers comp claims fly to his office in Honolulu for an initial visit, with the possibility of being treated on Kaua‘i during subsequent visits as part of his solution to this issue.
State officials have told The Garden Island they receive upwards of 1600 workers compensation claims each year, with about an equal number of cases already open also being worked on each month.
With those high numbers, cutting out workers compensation claim services could create a crisis for workers and a financial nightmare for businesses on Kaua‘i. We've heard a recent report that it took a worker almost six months to have a procedure performed by a Kaua‘i doctor in regards to a workers comp ailment. And that's with the current system in place. Having an injured worker on hold due to lack of expedient medical services could put enormous strains on the financial resources of a business, both due to costs and loss of employees key to operations. Reasonably fast medical treatment of an injured worker and a streamlined bureaucratic claim systems are the least both an employee and an employer should expect from the largest health care provider on our island. If in place, these two items would be the ideal solution to this problem.
But, don't count on a fast solution from our state government. The 2005 session of the Legislature put off reform for another year, killing new workers' compensation rules this week that would have helped the system, but would have done little to solve Kaua‘i solve the problem.
On O‘ahu Straub Clinic is choosing to stop accepting work comp patients as a business decision and Wilcox Health is now considering it, too. It's obvious that O‘ahu has a much larger population then Kaua‘i, with a wide variety of medial providers. Here on Kaua‘i, a decision like that will hurt Kauai's workers and businesses.
That the system needs reform is stating the obvious, and perhaps our legislators have missed that point.
It is a sure thing that if workers compensation medical services are cut, and legislative reform continues to linger, we are headed for a crisis in this area on Kaua‘i.
When The Garden Island contacted Wilcox Health on Friday to get an update on this issue, we were told by spokeswoman Lani Yukimura: "We are still talking about the workers compensation issue and no final decision has been made. Discussions with physicians and the state Department of Labor are ongoing and like all healthcare providers, we continually reassess various programs such as workers comp.
Until Wilcox has made a decision there's really nothing to report at this time, and we also don't want to mislead the community with wrong information or create cause for undue concern. When we do come to a decision, I'll be in touch."
This issue effects every business on Kaua‘i, and the fact that our largest health care provide is "talking about" not accepting work comp patients we think is an important story, one that deserves front page coverage. Business owners and workers on Kaua‘i should call the hospital and urge them to continue to accept workers' comp patients.
According to earlier reports, this change could go into effect as early as August 1. We think Wilcox Health needs to hear the opinion of the island, it's businesses and their customers, it's workers, it's residents — and before they've reached a decision, not after.
Workers' comp care could become a Kaua‘i crisis
Hawai‘i's reputation as a state with one of the worst business climates in the United States sometimes comes back to bite Kaua‘i especially hard.
Currently up in the air is a decision by Wilcox Health to do away with services for workers compensation claims. One doctor, who has left Wilcox, is requesting that patients with workers comp claims fly to his office in Honolulu for an initial visit, with the possibility of being treated on Kaua‘i during subsequent visits as part of his solution to this issue.
State officials have told The Garden Island they receive upwards of 1600 workers compensation claims each year, with about an equal number of cases already open also being worked on each month.
With those high numbers, cutting out workers compensation claim services could create a crisis for workers and a financial nightmare for businesses on Kaua‘i. We've heard a recent report that it took a worker almost six months to have a procedure performed by a Kaua‘i doctor in regards to a workers comp ailment. And that's with the current system in place. Having an injured worker on hold due to lack of expedient medical services could put enormous strains on the financial resources of a business, both due to costs and loss of employees key to operations. Reasonably fast medical treatment of an injured worker and a streamlined bureaucratic claim systems are the least both an employee and an employer should expect from the largest health care provider on our island. If in place, these two items would be the ideal solution to this problem.
But, don't count on a fast solution from our state government. The 2005 session of the Legislature put off reform for another year, killing new workers' compensation rules this week that would have helped the system, but would have done little to solve Kaua‘i solve the problem.
On O‘ahu Straub Clinic is choosing to stop accepting work comp patients as a business decision and Wilcox Health is now considering it, too. It's obvious that O‘ahu has a much larger population then Kaua‘i, with a wide variety of medial providers. Here on Kaua‘i, a decision like that will hurt Kauai's workers and businesses.
That the system needs reform is stating the obvious, and perhaps our legislators have missed that point.
It is a sure thing that if workers compensation medical services are cut, and legislative reform continues to linger, we are headed for a crisis in this area on Kaua‘i.
When The Garden Island contacted Wilcox Health on Friday to get an update on this issue, we were told by spokeswoman Lani Yukimura: "We are still talking about the workers compensation issue and no final decision has been made. Discussions with physicians and the state Department of Labor are ongoing and like all healthcare providers, we continually reassess various programs such as workers comp.
Until Wilcox has made a decision there's really nothing to report at this time, and we also don't want to mislead the community with wrong information or create cause for undue concern. When we do come to a decision, I'll be in touch."
This issue effects every business on Kaua‘i, and the fact that our largest health care provide is "talking about" not accepting work comp patients we think is an important story, one that deserves front page coverage. Business owners and workers on Kaua‘i should call the hospital and urge them to continue to accept workers' comp patients.
According to earlier reports, this change could go into effect as early as August 1. We think Wilcox Health needs to hear the opinion of the island, it's businesses and their customers, it's workers, it's residents — and before they've reached a decision, not after.
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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of kauaiworld.com.
HiKauai wrote on Feb 11, 2009 9:19 AM:
" Hello again TGI,
Please do not expect anyone to buy your theory of promotion or advertising and success program Waimea High School. We the former students there at one time in our lives actually do not care of local propaganda and success story with you or anyone there and their cars to show for as a success story.
Basically, I wrote to Waimea High School, and I suspect as always that this town is a ghost town. No offense but there is nothing to do there, just unemployed educators and former students.
I am not with their idea of success story, and I am not placing religion or anything like that on anyone, because as you know, this is still a free country and you can do anything you want. The whole idea of success just doesn't work well in a farm club setting and wanting to make it out or make it happen after you graduate in high school there to say the least.
Basically, some people I may know here, think some of you people still stuck there are still losers because you haven't made it happen for yourself or others, if you get my point staying home doing nothing.
Sincerely,
Dean Kelly Sabado "
Please do not expect anyone to buy your theory of promotion or advertising and success program Waimea High School. We the former students there at one time in our lives actually do not care of local propaganda and success story with you or anyone there and their cars to show for as a success story.
Basically, I wrote to Waimea High School, and I suspect as always that this town is a ghost town. No offense but there is nothing to do there, just unemployed educators and former students.
I am not with their idea of success story, and I am not placing religion or anything like that on anyone, because as you know, this is still a free country and you can do anything you want. The whole idea of success just doesn't work well in a farm club setting and wanting to make it out or make it happen after you graduate in high school there to say the least.
Basically, some people I may know here, think some of you people still stuck there are still losers because you haven't made it happen for yourself or others, if you get my point staying home doing nothing.
Sincerely,
Dean Kelly Sabado "
HiKauai wrote on Feb 11, 2009 1:45 PM:
" First of all, let this be known, that these comments here are worthless and useless considering the topic being discussed. We found this topic a useless waist of time and money. This is from any intellectual interested reader. And yes, I am not associated with any former classmates there on Kauai also, for this matter alone.
Sincerely,
Dean Kelly Sabado "
Sincerely,
Dean Kelly Sabado "
HiKauai wrote on Feb 11, 2009 1:50 PM:
" I have seen alot of losers being mentioned in association to Waimea High School sports at UH Manoa. Might I add they are the one's who are delerious and a debachery to any level minded reader. These names are wide and long. And they run from 1979-1990 graduates trying grace the pages of Kauai and represent that school, outrageous. I for one, right now am putting all of them down for ever contemplating fame and popularity. We actually do not understand your fame and glory at Waimea High School.
This is in regards to your articles on the Waimea High School athletics and any department there.
Sincerely,
Dean Kelly Sabado "
This is in regards to your articles on the Waimea High School athletics and any department there.
Sincerely,
Dean Kelly Sabado "
HiKauai wrote on Feb 11, 2009 1:55 PM:
" Losers I have mentioned that graced those pages are as follows:
Ross Kagawa 1984' UH baseball 1987' classmate of Percival Butay(cousin)
Edmond Acoba 1981'
Liko Pereira 1989 and someother school baseball?
Kui Souza 1988 Sacramento state baseball
Craig Ibara 1983' HPC of honolulu baseball
Keith Pigao - student information desk for all information here for class reunion
Lyman Lacro 1986, UH Volleyball 1987
Barry Magoay 1985, UH Volleyball 1989
These are just some of the names trying to gain popular votes via their own high School Waimea High School
even now. Unreal!
Best regards,
Dean Kelly Sabado "
Ross Kagawa 1984' UH baseball 1987' classmate of Percival Butay(cousin)
Edmond Acoba 1981'
Liko Pereira 1989 and someother school baseball?
Kui Souza 1988 Sacramento state baseball
Craig Ibara 1983' HPC of honolulu baseball
Keith Pigao - student information desk for all information here for class reunion
Lyman Lacro 1986, UH Volleyball 1987
Barry Magoay 1985, UH Volleyball 1989
These are just some of the names trying to gain popular votes via their own high School Waimea High School
even now. Unreal!
Best regards,
Dean Kelly Sabado "
HiKauai wrote on Feb 12, 2009 1:08 PM:
" Hello again TGI,
This is me, Dean Kelly Sabado. Thank you for letting me comment on your articles there on the island. I just want to thank everyone agreeing with myself on who actually I meant, calling them losers in that town. Ha! Ha! Ha! I am a personal graduate of that high school but will proudly say if they keep up the good work in academics and life, will not be too ashamed of being associated with Waimea High School as an alumni.
Sorry, but there are others who felt this way! Here on the island of Honolulu and even the mainland. These names may have one time in their lives even mine represent the epitome of failure and laughs, and not success.
best regards,
Dean Kelly Sabado "
This is me, Dean Kelly Sabado. Thank you for letting me comment on your articles there on the island. I just want to thank everyone agreeing with myself on who actually I meant, calling them losers in that town. Ha! Ha! Ha! I am a personal graduate of that high school but will proudly say if they keep up the good work in academics and life, will not be too ashamed of being associated with Waimea High School as an alumni.
Sorry, but there are others who felt this way! Here on the island of Honolulu and even the mainland. These names may have one time in their lives even mine represent the epitome of failure and laughs, and not success.
best regards,
Dean Kelly Sabado "
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HiKauai wrote on Feb 11, 2009 9:08 AM:
RE: 2/11/2009 and the above topic
Can we cut out the "EXPLETIVE" here. Everyone knows if you are or were affiliated with high school at one time in your life in Waimea, Kauai, you would know that you do not place one of the three stooges willing to work at Kentucky fried chicken and place him at the vice principal's seat at Waimea High School. We all know that BOE and DOE played no roll in this nonsense of students being athletes then becomming success in the respected choice of degree and field like a BA degree. An example, you cannot put someone like a Pereira or even an Aaron Francisco from Kahuku High School, now former Arizona Cardinals NFL, as a BA candidtate after a prolific showing in sports. It just does not work that way. We all know that they cannot be serious placing academics after a 10 year assistant coach with a rediculous man/educator and/or coach if I might add like Tommy Rita of the 1980's and then expect him, Patrick Pereira to educate people in 2000's after being associated with dumb athletes all their life and now turn to academics. Now they educate people? Ha! What are we looking at here is basically a rediculous and dumber community than most perceived DOE standard base learning. Otherwise throw this article out already, alright?
best regards,
Dean Kelly Sabado "