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Universal health care topic of Kihei presentation

The Maui News

Dr. Stephen Kemble of Honolulu and psychiatrist Dr. Leslie Gise of Maui will give a presentation on “Healthcare Options for Hawai’i” with Democratic South Maui state Rep. Kaniela Ing, an announced candidate for Congress.

The free event will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the Kihei Charter School on Lipoa Street, behind First Hawaiian Bank.

Democratic South Maui state House candidate Christine Wildberger is expected to attend, and U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is scheduled to speak via videoconference.

In an announcement, Kemble is described as being “the voice behind the universal healthcare movement in Hawaii.”

Kemble is professor at the University of Hawaii’s John A. Burns School of Medicine. He’s past president of the Hawaii Medical Association.

He has been appointed to the Hawaii Health Authority, which is charged with overall health planning in the state of Hawaii and with planning a universal health care system covering everyone in the state.

Gise is a longtime Maui psychiatrist on staff at Maui Memorial Medical Center. She’s a clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of Hawaii, and she’s the Hawaii contact person for Physicians for a National Health Program.

According to the announcement, by 2026, a family of four will pay $42,000 a year for health insurance in Hawaii if current trends continue. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’ “Medicare for All” act of 2017 was introduced by Hawaii U.S. Sens. Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz.

The event is being organized by Indivisible Kihei, an independent group of concerned voters. It’s co-sponsored by the Kihei Community Association and Organizing for Action Maui.

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