Legislators are advancing measures to provide funding for additional emergency services and two additional ambulances for West Oahu in the wake of last month’s shutdown of Hawaii Medical Center-West.
Two bills moved out Friday from Senate and House health committees.
The Senate committee gave approval to Senate Bill 2409, which provides $1.5 million for additional emergency services in West Oahu.
A second measure, House Bill 1953, also received broad support and offers $1.2 million for ambulance service in the region as well as an additional $500,000 for Wahiawa General Hospital, where the medical center’s shutdown is also taxing emergency room services.
Funds would go toward ambulances that were added to the area since late last month — a 24-hour rig in Nanakuli and an 18-hour ambulance out of Kapolei.
Dr. Jim Ireland, director of the city Department of Emergency Services, said he is hoping to have enough money in his existing budget to absorb the cost of the two ambulances. But the additional money would help guarantee the service for a year, he said. Nearly all funds for the ambulance services provided by the four counties comes through the state Department of Health.
"We feel that EMS is the safety net, and putting on the extra ambulances is one way we can help to ensure patients get prompt emergency care and get to the ER," Ireland said after a hearing on the measures. "We also know all the ERs on Oahu, particularly west, central and downtown, are a lot busier. They’ve really stepped up, and we really appreciate that as well."
State Health Director Loretta Fuddy said she supports the concept of funding additional emergency care so long as it does not reduce or replace her department’s other priorities.
The bill also received support from United Public Workers, the union that represents paramedics and emergency medical technicians, and the Healthcare Association of Hawaii.
