Bill Text: HI SB2966 | 2016 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii Senate Bill 2966 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Emergency Medical Services; Puna; Appropriation ($)

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 8-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-01-29 - Referred to CPH, WAM. [SB2966 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2016-SB2966-Introduced.html

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2966
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016
STATE OF HAWAII

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 the Puna district on the island of Hawaii is approximately five hundred square miles and according to a 2010 census, has a population of 45,326. Puna has become the fastest growing district in the State, with a population increase of forty-four per cent since 2000. Over the next fifteen years the population of Puna is expected to be approximately seventy-five thousand. This population growth has significantly impacted the Hawaii county fire department's emergency medical services medic units in Puna and Hilo.

The legislature further finds that the residents of Puna are faced with various economic and transportation challenges. Due to the risk of being inundated by lava, portions of Puna are extremely vulnerable and threatened with inaccessibility. Access to health care in Puna is also difficult because many Puna residents are up to thirty miles away from the nearest primary care provider.

The legislature additionally finds that the Hawaii county fire department's emergency medical services has become the health care access point for many Puna residents. In Hawaii county from 2015 to 2016, the Puna district accounted for thirty per cent of emergency medical service calls. Since 2007, there has been a fifty per cent increase in responses from Hilo medic units into the Puna district, leaving Hilo without adequate emergency medical services. Based in the Keaau and Pahoa fire stations, two emergency medical services units handle ninety-one per cent of the emergency medical services calls from Puna residents and the paramedics face progressive burnout due to long shifts.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to establish and staff an advanced life support medic unit in Puna on the island of Hawaii.

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 2016-2017 to establish and staff an advanced life support medic unit in Puna on the island of Hawaii.

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, 2016.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Emergency Medical Services; Puna; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds to establish and staff an advanced life support medic unit in Puna on the island of Hawaii.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.