STAND. COM. REP. NO 68

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                

 

RE:    S.B. No. 298

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2015

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 298 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to make an appropriation for one advanced life support ambulance to be based in Makalei on the island of Hawaii, to be used from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and to include a vehicle, equipment, and personnel costs.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, County of Hawaii; Hawaii Fire Department; Daniel Sayre Memorial Foundation; Hawaii Fire Fighters Association, Local 1463; and one individual.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

 

     Your Committee finds that residents of the island of Hawaii would greatly benefit from the addition of an advanced life support ambulance to augment the Hawaii County Emergency Medical Services System for residents of the Makalei area.  The population of this area has significantly increased over the years, which has corresponded with a steady increase in calls for emergency medical services.  Access to primary health care in Makalei is challenging for the community.  For many residents, primary care services are as many as thirty miles away.  Coupled with economic and transportation challenges, emergency medical services have become the access point for health care to many residents.

 

     Your Committee further finds that a new advanced life support ambulance will help reduce death and disability among residents and visitors on the island of Hawaii.  A timely response to a 911 call is critical to increase the likelihood of successful outcomes for injured or sick individuals.  Given the island's significant growth and aging population, an advanced life support ambulance is needed and will be cost-effective.

 

     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 S.B. No. 298 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

JOSH GREEN, Chair