Recently, Local 5 found out about Kaiser’s plan to bring a new subcontractor into Maui. Kaiser’s “Certificate of Need” application to the state would allow it to build new dialysis facilities in Wailuku and Lahaina — even though the current dialysis facilities, run by Liberty Dialysis, still have room for more patients. Instead of running the facilities itself, Kaiser wants to subcontract the management to a company called DaVita. DaVita is:
- A multi-million-dollar for-profit subcontractor whose CEO made $24.24 million last year, according to Forbes.com.
- Under several inquiries by the federal government, although no proceedings had been initiated against the company by the federal government as of September 30, 2009.
- Not right for Hawaii.
We have submitted testimony (read the testimony PDF here) and testified at hearings against Kaiser’s plan. We are saying “YES” to quality health care on Maui by saying “NO” to more subcontracting at Kaiser, and by saying “NO” to DaVita! In the most recent hearing on Friday, December 11, the Certificate of Need Review Panel voted to disapprove of Kaiser’s plan. You can read all about it in the Maui News.
Kaiser workers in Maui sign-waving about DaVita before the December 11 hearing.
Kaiser worker, Local 5 member, and former State Representative Kamao Tanaka testifies before the Certificate of Need Review Panel.