All emergency medical referrals of Marshall Islanders to Hawaii now require a cash up front payment of one hundred thousand US dollars by the Government because of its multi million dollar debts to Hawaii hospitals.
Last week, the Marshall Islands Social Security Administration told the Chamber of Commerce that the Marshall Islands current medical debt in Hawaii stands at two point five million dollars.
But the Government's anticipated revenue is hundreds of thousands of dollars short of this amount, forcing the Social Security Administration to bring in the payment up front policy.
In addition to the 100 thousand dollar payment, referrals will require written medical clearance from the local hospital referring the patient, and acceptance from the Hawaii hospitals.
