Read the full stored bill text
HB1107
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B. NO.
1107
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO EMERGENCY AEROMEDICAL SERVICES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
����
SECTION 1.
�
The
legislature finds that most rural communities in the State have fewer health care
resources compared to communities on Oahu, including access to advanced levels
of trauma care, medical specialists, and sub-specialists.
�
This puts patients in these areas at greater
risk of poor outcomes for serious medical conditions such as heart attack,
stroke, and traumatic bodily injuries.
����
The legislature further finds that the
existing aeromedical services system is overburdened.
�
The State is currently served by only one statewide
aeromedical provider, for which there are few viable and cost-effective
alternatives in the event of a grounding, for example, due to maintenance
issues or crew availability.
�
Emergency
aeromedical services are not available for many patients in rural counties and
areas.
����
The legislature further finds that one
model to improve emergency aeromedical services could be based on the county of
Maui's medevac service model. Act 2, Special Session Laws of Hawaii
2003, appropriated general funds for the provision of emergency aeromedical
helicopter services for the county of Maui.
�
Act 213, Session Laws of Hawaii 2007, appropriated general funds for a
replacement helicopter for the county of Maui aeromedical emergency medical
services program.
�
The department of
health cost-shares a helicopter with the county of Maui and contracts with a
private entity to provide staff and operate the helicopter for emergency
aeromedical services.
����
The legislature further finds that the
department of health has the authority to establish emergency aeromedical
services but lacks sufficient resources to implement the Maui model in other
rural counties.
�
Accordingly, the purpose
of this Act is to appropriate funds to increase the availability of emergency
aeromedical services.
����
SECTION 2.
�
There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State
of Hawaii the sum of $__________ or so much
thereof
as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 and the same sum or so much
thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2027-2028 to assist the counties,
other than the county of Kalawao, to increase access to emergency aeromedical
services, to be allocated as follows:
����
(1)
�
$__________
to the city and county of Honolulu;
����
(2)
�
$__________ to the county of Maui;
����
(3)
�
$__________ to the county of Hawaii; and
����
(4)
�
$__________ to the county of Kauai.
����
The
sums appropriated shall be expended by each county for the purposes of this
Act.
����
SECTION
3.
�
There is appropriated out of the
general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $__________ or so much
thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 and the same sum or so
much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2027-2028 to be deposited into
the emergency medical services special fund.
����
SECTION
4.
�
There is appropriated out of the
emergency medical services special fund the sum of $__________ or so much
thereof
as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 and the same sum or so much
thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2027-2028 for the establishment of
and operating expenses for emergency aeromedical services, including the
procurement of helicopters.
����
The
sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of health for the
purposes of this Act.
SECTION 5.
�
This Act, upon its approval, shall take
effect on July 1, 2025.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
BY REQUEST
Report Title:
DOH; Emergency
Aeromedical Services; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates funds to the Department of Health to expand
access to emergency aeromedical services.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.