STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1147

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 784

H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred H.B. No. 784, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate funds for the operation of an additional ambulance for the island of Hawaii to be based in Makalei.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health, State Health Planning and Development Agency, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, one member of the Hawaiʻi County Council, Office of the Mayor of the County of Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi Fire Department, Daniel R. Sayre Memorial Foundation, Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, Hawaiʻi Island Chamber of Commerce, Three Ring Ranch Exotic Animal Sanctuary, Kohala Coast Resort Association, American Medical Response, and twenty-six individuals.

Your Committee finds that access to primary health care in North Kona is challenging for the community with many residents living as many as thirty miles away from primary care services. Your Committee further finds that resources to operate an additional ambulance will help reduce death and disability among residents and visitors on the island of Hawaii and is critical to increase the likelihood of successful outcomes for injured or sick individuals. Your Committee believes that given Hawaii island's significant growth and aging population, an additional ambulance is needed and will be cost-effective. This measure provides funding for the operation of an additional advanced life support ambulance on the island of Hawaii to augment the Hawaii County emergency medical services system for residents of the North Kona area.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 784, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

________________________________

JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair