Report Title:

Emergency Medical Services; Island of Hawaii

 

 

Description:

Appropriates funds for additional urgent care services in the Ocean View and Volcano communities of the island of Hawaii. (HB1465 HD1)

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1465

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

RELATING TO EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.   The legislature finds that there is a lack of hospitals and health centers in the southern portion of the island of Hawaii, and residents of the area are particularly vulnerable in the event of a serious medical emergency.  The most efficient solution is to provide two emergency mobile urgent care units to be stationed at the fire departments in the communities of Ocean View and Volcano.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the department of health to develop a pilot program in cooperation with emergency medical services, the fire departments, the Hawaii health systems corporation, and the community clinics to provide the people of the southern portion of the island of Hawaii with increased access to appropriate emergency and urgent medical care.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The department of health shall establish a pilot program in cooperation with emergency medical services, the fire departments, Hawaii health systems corporation, and community clinics to provide additional urgent care services in the communities of Ocean View and Volcano on the island of Hawaii.

     (b)  The program shall:

     (1)  Assess the efficacy of utilizing mobile medical vans and other alternatives for service delivery;

     (2)  Establish availability of workforce staff;

     (3)  Recommend any appropriate legislation to further effectuate the program;

     (4)  Assess feasibility and the cost/benefit ratio; and

     (5)  Involve appropriate community stakeholders in the study and evaluation.

     (c)  The department of health shall report to the legislature at least twenty days prior to the convening of the 2008 and 2009 regular sessions of the legislature regarding the progress of the pilot program.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009, for planning and equipment necessary for a pilot program to provide additional urgent care services in the Ocean View and Volcano communities on the island of Hawaii.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on January 1, 2099.