(HONOLULU) -- "A 'grief session' may be great for venting about the obstacles faced by the healthcare profession in Hawaii, but it won't do much to help us find answers," said U.S. Representative Neil Abercrombie in preparation for a Healthcare Provider Forum on Thursday, May 28th at the Queen's Conference Center's Mabel Smyth Auditorium at 6:00 p.m.  "If I can gather feedback on possible solutions to bringing down the cost of healthcare, improving quality and expanding coverage, these sessions will be very constructive."

The first forum is for doctors, nurses, hospital administrators, rehabilitation specialists, pharmacists and others involved in healthcare delivery, such as medical suppliers, health insurance administrators, nursing homes operators and long term care providers.  At least four leaders in Hawaii's healthcare community are scheduled to speak:

• Coral Andrews; Healthcare Assn. of Hawaii
• Jerris Hedges; UH John A. Burns School of Medicine
• Marc Gannon; Waikiki Health Center
• Luanne Long; Hawai'i Nurses Association

The Providers Healthcare Forum will be followed by a Public Community Forum on Wednesday, July 1st at 6:00pm at McKinley High School to present highlights from this week's Provider Forum and seek public feedback.

"As Congress works to have recommendations on healthcare to the White House by the end of the year, I want to be sure the needs and interests of Hawaii's working families, small business owners and others are addressed," said Abercrombie.

###