THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2535

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020

 

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 a cardiac care unit is needed in Hawaii county, as county residents suffering from heart problems or strokes are often airlifted to Oahu or Maui to receive critical medical care.  An individual suffering from cardiac complications must receive interventional care within two hours in order to recover completely.  However, an evaluation and airlift from Hawaii county to Oahu or Maui can take much longer than two hours, increasing the risk that the patient may not fully recover.

     The legislature further finds that while there are barriers to offering interventional cardiology for heart attack treatment to Hawaii county residents, Hilo medical center has reduced many of these barriers through the acquisition and installation of cardiac imaging equipment and software, as well as establishing cardiology clinic infrastructure designed for up to three cardiologists and supporting providers.  Because cardiac interventions are complicated procedures, it is important that Hilo medical center receives support to expand its offering of interventional cardiology for heart attack treatment, and thereby continue to save lives and improve the quality of life for cardiac patients.

     The purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the Hawaii health systems corporation to improve the health care services related to cardiac care at Hilo medical center.

     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 2020-2021 for fiscal year 2020-2021 for the Hawaii health systems corporation to improve the health care services at Hilo medical center; provided that the funds shall be used for the following:

     (1)  Costs associated with recruiting and employing two additional cardiologists while they establish their invasive cardiology practice;

     (2)  Costs of support staff required to support the cardiology practice;

     (3)  Initial training of catheterization lab, intensive care unit, and radiology staff;

     (4)  Purchasing of inventory of medical devices and medications used for interventional cardiology procedures;

     (5)  Purchasing of medical equipment for the cardiac catheterization lab and intensive care unit;

     (6)  Purchasing of diagnostic laboratory equipment; and

     (7)  Initial costs of a certified lab technician.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the Hawaii health systems corporation for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2020.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Hilo Medical Center; Cardiac Care; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to improve health care services related to cardiac care at Hilo Medical Center.

 

 

 

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