Senator J. Kalani English
Majority Floor Leader
State Capitol, Room 205
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Phone: (808) 587-7225
E-mail: english1@capitol.hawaii.gov

Contact: Kalei Keolanui, Communications Specialist
Phone: 586-6812

PRESS RELEASE
February 19, 2002

SENATE MAJORITY FLOOR LEADER J. KALANI ENGLISH SEEKS TO ENSURE HEALTH CARE TRANSPORTATION TO NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Senate Majority Floor Leader J. Kalani English (D—Wailuku, Kahului, Upcountry Maui) is leading a bi-partisan effort to ensure that Hawaii's neighbor island residents and visitors are provided with essential air ambulance services linking neighbor island clinics and acute care facilities to specialty and tertiary hospitals on Oahu.

On January 24, 2002, Senator English initiated and led a bi-partisan effort to urge the Federal government to adjust Hawaii's aeromedical rates. In an unprecedented plea to Tommy Thompson, Secretary of Health and Human Services, Senator English obtained the signatures of all seventy-six Senate and House members to increase Hawaii's aeromedical rates in order to ensure the financial viability of Hawaii's air ambulance providers.

Senator English stated, "I strongly believe that this is a major health issue—given the unique geographical set-up of our islands, this is an essential medical service for the health of those on the neighbor islands." During the last legislative session, Senator English responded to the need to increase Hawaii's aeromedical reimbursement rates by introducing SCR130, urging the United States Congress and Health Care Financing Administration to adjust Hawaii's aeromedical rates. The Resolution passed unanimously by the Hawaii State Legislature.

Hawaii has one of the lowest Medicare reimbursement rates in the United States, resulting in financial hardship to Hawaii's only fixed-wing aeromedical provider in the state, Hawaii Air Ambulance, Inc. (HAA). The Federal government has not adjusted Hawaii's Medicare rates for over fourteen years. With nearly thirty percent of HAA's flights being Medicare flights that are reimbursed below cost, HAA is experiencing significant financial difficulties.

"This bi-partisan effort will insure that neighbor island residents are ably transported to Oahu's tertiary care facilities by trained medical personnel in certified emergency aircraft," Senator English said. He added, "It is unfair for Hawaii to receive one of the lowest air ambulance reimbursement rates in the country, and expect medical air transport companies to survive. Increasing the Medicare reimbursements will essentially benefit the state by enabling air ambulance companies to continue providing safe transportation for our citizens. "

Please refer to the attachments of the text of the letter sent to Tommy Thompson, Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Senate Concurrent Resolution 130.

END

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