HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-03-10 Letter to Rosalyn Baker re HB 1410 HD 2 Part 1 & Part 2 - Relating to Emergency Medical Services .2411.711'•4, , Wil Okabe
Managing Director
Harry Kim :HA*:
Mayor
Barbara J.Kossow
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March 10, 2017
Senator Rosalyn Baker
Commerce, Consumer Protection and Health
Hawaii State Capitol
Honolulu, HI 96813
Dear Chair Baker and members:
RE: HB 1410, HD 2 (Part I)
HB 1410, HD 2 (Part 2)
Relating to Emergency Medical Services
Thank you for this opportunity to express concerns about Part I of HB 1410, HD
2, and to testify against Part 2 of HB 1410, HD2.
As our Fire Department has previously testified, "the State of Hawai'i's EMS
system has been recognized for decades as one of the very best EMS systems in the
United States. The success of the statewide EMS program is in large part due to the
leadership provided by the State of Hawai'i DOH EMS Branch. The centralized
leadership at the state level is extremely collaborative with EMS agencies across the
state, maintains a very high standard and maintains a staff of some of the best EMS
minds in the state. This continued collaboration and partnership has been critical to the
continued success of Hawai'i's EMS system."
The purpose clause of Part I says that "The purpose of this part is to repeal the
emergency medical services special fund...and appropriate an equal dollar amount to
the department of health for purposes of overseeing the state comprehensive
emergency medical system with no discernable disruptions." We are concerned that
this Part goes beyond its stated purpose, may jeopardize future funding of the state
comprehensive emergency medical system, and may undermine the comprehensive
system itself. We would therefore urge extreme caution in changing a system that "ain't
broke."
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
Rosalyn Baker
March 10, 2017
Page 2
As for Part II of HB 1410, HD2, Section 6 would maintain the counties' TAT
allocation at an unacceptably low level, and mandate that the counties pay for EMS out
of the inadequate proceeds. The proposed TAT allotment to Hawaii County (about
$19M) is so low that it would be less than what we would need to pay for EMS, let alone
our other obligations. Truly something we cannot live with.
We need legislation that would provide the counties with more of the TAT, and
without any additional burdens on the counties' budgets. In that sense, Part II of HB
1410, HD2 would be a step backwards, and we ask that it not be passed.
Resp ctfully submitted,
ict.ev,„
Harry Kim
Mayor
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer