STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1079-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: S.B. No. 3248

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, Human Services, & Homelessness, to which was referred S.B. No. 3248, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AMBULANCES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to purchase one advanced life support ambulance and related equipment, to be based on the island of Molokai, and pay related personnel costs for state-certified emergency medical services personnel.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from American Medical Response, The Queen's Health Systems, Hana Health, Molokai Community Health Center, and fourteen individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health and Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that Molokai is a rural and medically underserved area. The island's Emergency Medical Service (EMS) responders are required to serve a geographically large and sparsely populated area with a single ambulance. EMS responders on Molokai must often travel farther or navigate difficult terrain when responding to calls or transporting patients. Furthermore, adverse weather conditions, when coupled with these obstacles, can significantly affect response and transport times. This measure will help remediate the disparities in access to trauma care for rural and medically vulnerable communities on Molokai, and ensure residents and visitors there have timely access to trauma treatment.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2060, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health, Human Services, & Homelessness that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3248, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3248, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health, Human Services, & Homelessness,

____________________________

RYAN I. YAMANE, Chair