Senate Majority Caucus

  With the Army’s announcement that it will suspend its Military Assistance to Safety and Traffic Program (MAST) on April 1st, legislators acted to prevent the loss of vitally important air ambulance medical services for Oahu residents. Senator Robert Bunda and Senator Rosalyn Baker, along with Representative Michael Magaoay, announced the introduction of legislation to help ensure the continuation of emergency air ambulance services on Oahu.

In response to an announcement by the Army that it will suspend its Military Assistance to Safety and Traffic Program (MAST), beginning April 1st, Democratic Legislators have introduced legislation to ensure continued emergency air ambulance services for Oahu residents. With the deployment of the Army’s helicopters and personnel to Iraq, MAST services are expected to be suspended through October 2007.

To ensure the important continuation of air ambulance services, Representative Michael Magaoay, in conjunction with Senate President Robert Bunda and Senator Rosalyn Baker, held a press conference on Tuesday, January 24th, to announce the introduction of legislation to help fill the void that will be left by the MAST program. HB 2187 will appropriate $600,000 to fund the retrofitting and operation of Air National Guard Blackhawk helicopters for aeromedical emergency evacuations.

Hawaii Air Ambulance, a private company that already runs about 200 flights a month transporting patients from the Neighbor Islands to Oahu for treatment, will provide training of Army Reserve personnel and handle the dispatch. Bunda said the bill was a good example of collaboration between the public and private sectors that ensure vital service is provided to the people of Hawaii. Because funding for the program would not take effect until July 1st, Bunda also said that the Legislature has begun discussions with the State Health Department and the Lingle Administration, who have the ability to authorize emergency funding to cover service prior to July 1st.

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