STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3291

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 1953

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1953, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to improve access to emergency medical care for residents of Oahu.

Specifically, the measure appropriates funds to:

     (1)  Expand emergency medical services and ambulance services in Leeward Oahu; and

     (2)  Provide additional emergency room services at Wahiawa General Hospital.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the United Public Workers and the Healthcare Association of Hawaii.

     Your Committee finds that the recent closures of Hawaii Medical Center's hospitals in Ewa Beach and Liliha have jeopardized access to emergency medical care on Oahu.  A greater burden is now placed on the City and County of Honolulu Emergency Medical Services Division to respond to emergency calls on the Leeward Coast and transport patients to emergency rooms elsewhere on Oahu.  In particular, Wahiawa General Hospital, as the remaining hospital closest to the Leeward Coast, faces a significant increase in its emergency care workload.  This measure provides the financial resources necessary to address emergency care challenges resulting from the closures of Hawaii Medical Center's hospitals.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1953, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair