Viability of vets
home questionedGov. Lingle suggests a scaled-back
version might work, but only
with certain conditions
HILO >> A proposed long-term veterans care home in Hilo will have to be reduced in size if it is to succeed financially, Gov. Linda Lingle told Hilo businesspeople yesterday.
A feasibility study has found that a state-run veterans home may be self-sufficient if it is has 100 beds instead of the proposed 200 beds, Lingle told the Hawaii Island Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and others. The scaled-down home also may be economically feasible if it doesn't have to hire staff under civil service requirements, she said.
The Legislature authorized $16 million for the 200-bed facility this spring, with U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye promising $29 million in matching federal funds. Hawaii is one of only three states without such a facility.
Lingle said she was given a verbal description of the feasibility study prepared by consultant Health Dimensions of Minneapolis, but she has not seen the written report.
She will meet with legislative, union, and community leaders, and she must make a decision by Aug. 15 to obtain the federal money, she said.
"I haven't passed judgment," she said.
A civil service exemption would require legislative approval, she said.
Randy Perreira, deputy executive director of the Hawaii Government Employees Association, expressed concern about the effect of such an exemption on members of his union, who otherwise would be employed at the facility.
"We would question the wisdom of seeking an exemption," he said. "Is this supposed to result in cost savings? What are the factors they are looking at?"
The United Public Workers, whose members could also be affected, did not immediately comment.
Paula Helfrich of the Hawaii Island Economic Development Board said 100 beds would be a good step toward a 200-bed facility.
"We should not be pitting veterans against unions, but working to get the job done," she said.
The effort to get a facility has "snowballed," said Carol Myrianthis of the private Hilo Medical Center Foundation.
"We've come this far. Let's see what else we can do," she said.
The concept has been to place the facility on the grounds of Hilo Medical Center by tearing down the former hospital building used for offices and storage, she said.
Leonard Tanaka, also from the foundation, said he was surprised that the Health Dimensions report didn't consider a 200-bed facility viable, since his group found the opposite.
Of all veterans homes in the nation, only three receive no state subsidy, he said. But Lingle told the business representatives, "The state doesn't have the money to subsidize it."
The 200-bed facility has the backing of Mayor Harry Kim, who is out of state.
His managing director, Dixie Kaetsu, said: "The county believes it would pay its own way. We look forward to seeing the report."