Governor announces new state healthcare coordinator

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Governor Neil Abercrombie Thursday announced Beth Giesting as the state's new Healthcare Transformation Coordinator.

The position was established by an executive order, and her role includes developing and implementing plans with the following goals:

• Improving the health and health care for Hawai'i's people

• Transforming the organization and delivery of healthcare services, including payment reform, health information technology and primary care workforce

• Ensuring collaboration among government agencies, healthcare providers and health plans, and consumers.

• Implementing provisions of President Obama's Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

• Increasing quality and reducing costs for the state's employee healthcare system and Medicaid programs.

"Wisdom and foresight led to the establishment of the 1974 Prepaid Health Care Act and put Hawai'i at the forefront of health care," said Governor Abercrombie at a press conference this afternoon at Kapiolani Medical Center. "Today, we need courage, creativity, and a new level of cooperation to overcome what has become a national health care crisis of massive proportions. With Beth's leadership and the dedication of our community and business partners, I am confident that Hawai'i will be a pioneer once again."

Giesting has been a longtime healthcare advocate on primary health care issues. As the current Chief Executive Officer for Hawai'i Primary Care Association, Giesting provides support and assistance to Hawai'i's 14 community health centers.

Giesting said, "I appreciate the Governor's nomination to this post, and recognize it as a tribute to the leadership that Hawai'i's community health centers, their partners, and the Hawai'i Primary Care Association have shown. I look forward to working with all stakeholders to bring about a New Day in Hawai'i's health care system."

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