Doctor's departure a concern on Maui

Valley Isle veterans fear a decline in their health care services By Gary T. Kubota [e-mail] WAILUKU Maui veterans are worried the sudden departure of a physician could disrupt their medical ...

[concerned citizen]

I am disappointed in the Veterans Affairs' lack of providing medical help to these veterans who so bravely went all out to protect our country. The government should pull out all the plugs to furnish these veterans with the best medical care possible. Hail to our VETERANS and Mahalo

[Kona]

This provider must be given a GS-15, Step 10 salary + 25% bonus to start and that still won't meet what a physician would normally make in a high cost area like Maui but I believe the Fed Civ Svc system can allow this.

[none]

Looks like the reimbursement rate is now a problem for everybody... not just physicians.

Everybody knows that physicians are not compensated well-enough to offset the high cost of living in hawaii and the high insurance costs. Hopefully patients will now join physicians in the fight to get better reimbursement rates from local insurance firms.

[das why]

Das why they all moving away...too much greed, not enough need and kokua...even doctors need to earn what they are worth...

[FRANKO]

ON MAUI--GET A PAIN, BEST TO GET ON A PLANE TO THE MAINLAND OR ELSEWHERE--QUICKLY
HIGH FUEL PRICES, POOR MEDICAL CARE HERE IN MAUI NOW AND IN THE FUTURE SPELL A BLEAK FUTURE
FOR MAUI.

[Stephanie Stucky]

Gary,

I just read article - Doctor's departure a concern on Maui - Valley Isle veterans fear a decline in their health care services.

As I was reading article, questions came to mind.
1. Why was doctor terminated when veterans obviously were very happy with the doctor?
2. What could a doctor have done so against the law that he would be terminated and the patients not informed of reason for
their doctors termination.
3. What's up with spokesman for Veterans Affairs citing personnel confidentiality rules as a reason for not letting patients
know why their doctor is suddenly taken away from them with no explanation? If the reason had been illegal, that would
have been released immediately to patients to justify the termination.
4. What is the Dept of Veterans Affairs health care really hiding from the public by terminating a doctor who is desparately
needed on Maui and whom patients are now worried because of his departure?
5. What is the doctor's reason for his departure? Has anyone interviewed doctor?

The story sounds fishy to me. More questions than answers.
Stephanie Stucky,
Kihei, Maui

[John Michael Milot]

Aloha Gary,

I'm one of Dr. Chen's patients. I first saw Dr. Chen, on a routine visit to the Maui VA Clinic. She had replaced the former Dr., who moved to the mainland. I was very impressed with her knowledge of my circumstance. She even was looking forward to meeting me, since I was an unusual case. Dr. Chen had worked with patients on the mainland that share my illness and was able to administer to my concerns. She, without hesitation contacted my primary care Physician at Tripler on Oahu, while I was present. To understand more about my treatment. Since then, on a follow up visit, I was experiencing an unusual high blood pressure. Dr. Chen, without hesitation orderd an EKG. I looked up and saw two attendants with a chair and wondered who they were coming for? It was me. I was sent to the ER, where I was evaluated my the new cardiologist on the Island, Dr. Allen. I ended up air ambulanced to Oahu "Tripler", where I received two stints in what is refered to as the widow maker. What I'm trying to say, is that if it wasn't for Dr. Chen's actions, I would not be here today. I'm devastated that I no longer have a Primary care Physician on Maui that understands my needs. Not only mine, but all of her other patients. I feel that there is something amiss surrounding Dr. Chen's dismissal. I'm at a loss for words. I sincerely wish for Dr. Chen, to be reinstated in her most deserving position, as a Primary Care Physician at Maui VA Outpatient Clinic.

Sincerly,
John Michael Milot

[Linda Asada]

The whole front office staff of the Maui Community Based Outpatient Clinic should be changed, because they are the front and they should be more courtesy and understanding to the Veterans, not give them a lecture on policies and procedures of the clinic. Maybe this what happened to the Doctor that left the facility.