Hawaii
Schatz, Tokuda seek higher payments for physicians – West Hawaii Today
U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, alongside Hawaii’s congressional delegation, on Thursday introduced legislation seeking higher Medicare reimbursements for the state’s health care providers.
The Protecting Access To Care in Hawaii Act — or PATCH Act — seeks a 24% increase, which would bring it in line with what Alaska gets, according to Schatz. He said it is key to helping the state retain and recruit doctors for a growing number of seniors.
The timing is more urgent than ever, he added, as Hawaii faces an increasingly acute provider shortage, especially on neighbor islands.
“As more people reach Medicare age in Hawaii, we are seeing fewer health care providers because of the rising operating and living costs in our state,” said Schatz. “Our bill would help fix that, boosting Medicare payments to providers and protecting health care access for the 300,000 seniors in Hawaii that rely on Medicare.”
It is also a matter of fairness, according to Schatz.
Currently, Medicare physician payments per beneficiary in Hawaii are the lowest in the U.S, and reimbursement rates do not factor in Hawaii’s higher health care operating costs due to its geographic isolation.
The bill would revise a “work geographic index” to reflect those higher costs, and is basically seeking the same level of reimbursements as Alaska.
“In lots of other areas of federal reimbursement, there’s a recognition that Hawaii and Alaska are in a category of their own as it relates to costs that would better reflect our reality,” said Schatz.
U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda, who introduced the companion House bill, said Hawaii consistently ranks among the healthiest states in the U.S., yet remains one of the worst states in which to practice medicine because of lower compensation and higher operating costs.
“Especially on our Neighbor Islands, this is exacerbating the access to the health care crisis that exists, often making it difficult to recruit and retain physicians and to get patients the timely quality care they need,” Tokuda said in a statement. “My legislation would ensure Medicare reimbursements more accurately reflect the real cost to provide care in Hawaii so that we can keep more local doctors and attract new physicians to the state.”
U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono said the low physician reimbursements in Hawaii add another obstacle to accessing and providing health care.
“I’m proud to support this legislation to help ensure that our physicians — and other health professionals — are being fairly compensated, while also expanding access to health care across the state,” she said.
U.S. Rep. Ed Case said medical practitioners have struggled for years to provide quality care while dealing with the mounting cost of doing business in Hawaii.
“This bill will help our health care providers focus on providing care through Medicare and spend less time worrying about inadequate reimbursement,” he said.
Earlier this year, Sens. Schatz and Hirono also introduced a bill alongside their Alaska colleagues, seeking higher Medicare reimbursements for outpatient care from hospitals, including emergency room visits, for enrolled seniors in the two states.
In 2021, they also sought to boost Medicare reimbursements for nursing homes in Hawaii and Alaska through the bipartisan Equitable Payments for Nursing Facilities Act.
Those bills are still pending.
Hawaii has a shortage of about 800 full-time physicians, according to the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine.
Other efforts to address the doctor shortage include an educational loan reimbursement program for health care workers that commit to two years of service in Hawaii. The state Legislature also passed a bill this year exempting private health care providers from general excise taxes for services to patients with Medicaid, Medicare and TRICARE.
“Everything costs more in Hawaii,” said Schatz, “and so the federal reimbursement has to reflect that, and that should go for nursing home care and Medicare services in clinics. We just have to be on an equal footing. Otherwise, we will have Medicare but really Medicare in name only because Medicare without providers is really nothing.”
Hawaii
Hawaii’s most active volcano Kilauea brewing as experts forecast 44th eruption in coming days
Hawaii’s most active and popular volcano, Kilauea, is preparing to put on a show as geologists forecast the volcano’s 44th eruption in the coming days.
The United States Geological Survey said that precursory eruption activity is occurring as the active volcano prepares to erupt – one of Earth’s most captivating natural spectacles.
According to the USGS, the forecast for the start of episode 44 is between April 6 to April 14.
On Saturday morning, the south vent overflowed at 6:11 a.m. HST, with lava flowing from the south vent at least 10 times through small dome fountains.
One of the most active volcanoes in the world, Kilauea has been erupting episodically within its summit caldera since December 23, 2024 – and is preparing to do so for the 44th time in the coming days.
Eruption episodes at Kilauea typically last from a few hours to one day, with some lasting up to 8 ½ days of lava flow.
When the volcano comes alive, it is a sight to behold.
Fountains of red to yellow lava shoot more than 1,000 feet in the air out of boiling lakes of lava – a scene that annually attracts crowds of tourists to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park to witness the phenomenon.
For those fortunate enough to witness a Kilauea eruption, the natural spectacle is as dangerous as it is mesmerizing.
According to the USGS, the volcano lets off threatening hazardous gases, especially to those with heart or respiratory issues, infants, children and pregnant women.
When the volcano is erupting, unsafe ash is abrasive and can irritate eyes, skin and the respiratory system.
Can’t make the trip to Hawaii to witness the 44th episode? Don’t worry.
The USGS operates several live webcams at Kilauea, streaming continuously on their website—stay tuned for any signs of eruption. You won’t want to miss it.
Hawaii
Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano is brewing yet again, preparing to put on a show for it’s 44th episode
VOLCANO, Hawaii – Hawaii’s most active and popular volcano, Kilauea, is preparing to put on a show as geologists forecast the volcano’s 44th eruption in the coming days.
The United States Geological Survey said that precursory eruption activity is occurring as the active volcano prepares to erupt – one of Earth’s most captivating natural spectacles.
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According to the USGS, the forecast for the start of episode 44 is between April 6 to April 14.
On Saturday morning, the south vent overflowed at 6:11 a.m. HST, with lava flowing from the south vent at least 10 times through small dome fountains.
One of the most active volcanoes in the world, Kilauea has been erupting episodically within its summit caldera since December 23, 2024 – and is preparing to do so for the 44th time in the coming days.
Eruption episodes at Kilauea typically last from a few hours to one day, with some lasting up to 8 ½ days of lava flow.
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When the volcano comes alive, it is a sight to behold. Fountains of red to yellow lava shoot more than 1,000 feet in the air out of boiling lakes of lava – a scene that annually attracts crowds of tourists to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park to witness the phenomenon.
For those fortunate enough to witness a Kilauea eruption, the natural spectacle is as dangerous as it is mesmerizing. According to the USGS, the volcano lets off threatening hazardous gases, especially to those with heart or respiratory issues, infants, children and pregnant women. When the volcano is erupting, unsafe ash is abrasive and can irritate eyes, skin and the respiratory system.
Can’t make the trip to Hawaii to witness the 44th episode? Don’t worry. The USGS operates several live webcams at Kilauea, streaming continuously on their website—stay tuned for any signs of eruption. You won’t want to miss it.
Original article source: Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano is brewing yet again, preparing to put on a show for it’s 44th episode
_2026_04_04_18_15_08.jpg?ssl=1 "Mikee Quintos, Heaven Peralejo go on beach trip in Hawaii")
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Mikee Quintos and Heaven Peralejo are having some tropical fun in Hawaii!
On Instagram, Heaven shared photos from their beach getaway off the coast of Honolulu, along with snaps of them exploring the city.
“From Hawaii with love,” Heaven wrote.
In a separate Instagram post, Mikee also posted a photo of them eating in a restaurant in Oahu.
Mikee and Heaven have been spending time together lately, often traveling side by side. Prior to their Honolulu trip, the two travelled to Siargao, where they enjoyed free diving.
Mikee most recently starred in “Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre” as Lira.
In 2025, she graduated from college after 10 years.
—Jade Veronique Yap/JCB, GMA News
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