The state Senate approved $7.3 million in emergency funding today to sustain two rural Kauai hospitals through next spring. 

House Bill 3, unamended by the Senate, now goes to the governor for signing, which would clear funding for Hawaii Health Systems Corp.’s Kauai regional health care system. 

Sen. Sam Slom was the lone opponent of the bill. 

The appropriation will help pay off $2 million borrowed from the Maui region and $2 million in systemwide obligations owed to the corporate office.  

The Kauai region operates Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital, which houses the only inpatient psychiatric unit on the island; Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital; and three physician clinics in Waimea, Kalaheo and Port Allen.