STAND. COM. REP. NO. 326

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: H.B. No. 784

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 784 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for the operation of an additional advanced life support ambulance to be based in the Makalei area on the island of Hawaii.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; Hawaii Health Systems Corporation Corporate Board of Directors; one member of the Hawaiʻi County Council; Hawaii Fire Department; American Medical Response; and five individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Health.

Your Committee finds that there is an urgent need for an additional advanced life support ambulance to augment the Hawaii County emergency medical services system for residents of the North Kona area on the island of Hawaii. Your Committee further finds that for residents of the area, primary care services can be as far as thirty miles away. The vast coverage area, challenging terrain, and increasing traffic congestion all contribute to delayed emergency response times. The establishment of an additional advanced life support ambulance, as intended by this measure, will significantly improve response capabilities, ensuring residents and visitors receive swift, life-saving care.

Your Committee notes the consideration provided by the Department of Health in their written testimony before your Committee, regarding whether traditional 911 services would be the most efficient or cost effective for these communities, given the potentially lower emergency call volume. Your Committee also notes the alternative model suggested by the Department to utilize advanced life support services through community paramedicine or mobile integrated health programs, which are designed to address emergency and non-emergency medical needs at a potentially lower cost.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the appropriation to an unspecified amount;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

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

Your Committee respectfully requests your Committee on Finance, should it deliberate on this measure, to consider an appropriation amount of $1,750,000.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 784, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 784, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

____________________________

GREGG TAKAYAMA, Chair