Appropriates funds to the Waianae coast comprehensive health center for it to maintain emergency room hours of operation from midnight to 8:00 a.m.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. There is a need for twenty-four hour emergency room service for the increasing Waianae population. The Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center is the only medical facility in the area that is available and equipped to handle emergencies and stabilization of victims of serious trauma. Its emergency room is one of the most heavily used on Oahu and is the lead agency for disaster response on the Waianae coast.

The Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center has been impacted by rising costs, including the increasing costs of insurance and nursing salaries. The cost of operating the emergency room after normal business hours has risen to an estimated $1,600,000.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate moneys to the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center to maintain emergency room hours of operation from midnight to 8:00 a.m.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $1,600,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, for the Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Center to maintain emergency room hours of operation from midnight to 8:00 a.m.

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, 2006.