STAND. COM. REP. 550

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: H.B. No. 721

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 721 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AMBULANCE SERVICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to appropriate funds for 24-hour ambulance services for the upcountry area of Maui, which includes Kula, Makawao, and Pukalani.

The Office of the Mayor, County of Maui; Kula Community Association; American Medical Response; and numerous concerned individuals testified in support of this measure. The Department of Health supported the intent of this measure.

Your Committee notes that 24-hour ambulance service for upcounty Maui is essential for this growing community and tourist center. Emergency situations occurring after regular ambulance service hours in rural areas experience longer response times, and this could mean the difference between life and death.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 721 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

 

____________________________

DENNIS A. ARAKAKI, Chair