Report Title:

Hawaiian Ocean View Estates; Appropriation; Ambulance Service

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to provide emergency advance life support ambulance service to the residents of Hawaiian Ocean View Estates on the Island of Hawaii. (HB97 HD1)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

97

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

Making an appropriation for emergency Ambulance Service on the island of hawaii.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that unacceptably long and potentially life-threatening delays in emergency ambulance service have occurred in the Hawaiian Ocean View Estates area of the big island. These delays, which can last up to two hours, occur when the Ka'u ambulance, located in Naalehu, is already on call. Although emergency medical technicians with the fire department can provide basic life support until a back up advanced life support ambulance with mobile intensive care technicians arrives on scene, there is a world of difference between the level of care that each kind of technician is qualified to provide. Delays in the provision of appropriate emergency medical care because of geography are inhumane and unfair.

Consequently, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the department of health to provide emergency advanced life support ambulance service to the residents of Hawaiian Ocean View Estates on the island of Hawaii.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2003-2004 to provide emergency advanced life support ambulance service to the residents of Hawaiian Ocean View Estates on the island of Hawaii; provided that any emergency advanced life support ambulance and its crews shall be based at the fire station constructed by the volunteer fire department in Hawaiian Ocean View Estates.

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, 2003.