Appropriates funds to provide emergency ambulance services for Kaneohe-Kahaluu.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the protection and preservation of the health of the people of this State is a matter of compelling state interest. Emergency ambulance services, available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, can help reduce medical emergency deaths, injuries, and permanent long-term disability, and are a key component of the state comprehensive emergency medical services system.

The legislature further finds that in many emergency medical situations, such a prolonged response time can mean the difference between life and death for individuals visiting or living in these communities.

The purpose of this Act is to provide parity in emergency medical services, by providing sufficient twenty-four hour, advanced life support ambulance services for the Kaneohe-Kahaluu area, Oahu.

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 2005-2006, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, for emergency ambulance services for the Kaneohe-Kahaluu area.

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2005.