Bill Text: HI HB1616 | 2018 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To Health.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2018-02-16 - The committee(s) on FIN recommend(s) that the measure be deferred. [HB1616 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2018-HB1616-Amended.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1616 |
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TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO HEALTH.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature 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 Puna area. The district of Puna is the fastest growing district in the State; and thus, has increasing calls for emergency medical services. Currently, the high demand for Puna emergency services means Hilo ambulances need to travel to Puna for emergency calls. Hilo ambulances sometimes need to travel over thirty miles with some of those miles on substandard unpaved roads. An ambulance designed for unpaved roads would require less service and prevent emergency delays. Every Hilo ambulance that responds to a Puna emergency means one less ambulance available for Hilo, the second largest city in the State; and thus, an ambulance based in Puna not only benefits Puna, but also benefits the rest of East Hawaii Island.
The legislature further finds that access to primary health care in Puna is a challenge for that community. For many residents, primary care services are as much as one hour away. Coupled with economic and transportation challenges, emergency medical services have become the access point for health care to many residents.
According to a recent survey of the Hawaii county fire department's responses to the Puna district, it takes an average round-trip of almost two hours to respond to each Puna emergency call. Emergency calls from Puna have increased to over five thousand calls per year. It is common for paramedics to have over ten transports in each work shift, which equates to twenty or more hours for each twenty-four hour shift. Because of this increase in calls, Hilo paramedic units, which are the busiest on the island, are often dispatched into the Puna district to cover the area when the Puna paramedic units are responding to other calls. This results in fewer Hilo paramedic units being available to respond to Hilo emergency calls. Moreover, the increased volume of calls creates a high risk for errors in judgment caused by fatigue, which can impact the health and safety of the patient.
The legislature 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 cost-effective.
The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds for an advanced life support ambulance to be based in the Puna area on the island of Hawaii and to be used during daily peak hours from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., including the acquisition of a vehicle and equipment, and funding personnel costs for state-certified emergency medical service personnel.
SECTION 2. 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 2018-2019 for one advanced life support ambulance to be:
(1) Based in Puna on the island of Hawaii; and
(2) Used during daily peak hours from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.,
and to include the acquisition of a vehicle and equipment and funding personnel costs for state-certified emergency medical service personnel.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.
Report Title:
Emergency Medical Services; Advanced Life Support Ambulance
Description:
Appropriates funds for one advanced life support ambulance to be based in Puna on the island of Hawaii and to be used from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and to include a vehicle, equipment, and personnel costs. (HB1616 HD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
