SR 177: requesting the GOVERNOR AND THE Department of health to engage with the United States Department of Defense and other federal and military partners to explore establishing a military-civilian trauma partnership to strengthen the HAWAII Trauma System.

THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	177
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting the GOVERNOR AND THE Department of health to engage with the United States Department of Defense and other federal and military partners to explore establishing a military-civilian trauma partnership to strengthen the HAWAII Trauma System.

 

 

     WHEREAS, trauma remains a leading cause of death and disability in the State, particularly for residents of the neighbor islands, where geographic isolation and limited access to specialty trauma services may delay timely access to definitive trauma care; and

 

     WHEREAS, severe traumatic injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, are time-sensitive medical emergencies requiring rapid stabilization, evaluation, and access to specialized trauma care to prevent death and long-term disability; and

 

     WHEREAS, timely transfer of severely injured patients to a level I or level II trauma center with specialty surgical capabilities is essential to improving survival, preventing disability, and reducing long-term health care costs; and

 

     WHEREAS, the State has made important progress in strengthening its trauma system through trauma center designation, emergency medical services coordination, and the development of statewide trauma registry infrastructure; and

 

     WHEREAS, Tripler Army Medical Center, has facilitated the State's progress in strengthening its trauma system but does not function as a routine receiving trauma center for civilian trauma transfers within the Hawaii Trauma System; and

 

     WHEREAS, despite its advances in trauma care, the State continues to face trauma system capacity challenges related to geographic isolation, limited specialty trauma resources, and trauma center bed availability, which often results in prolonged transfer times exceeding five hours for critically injured patients before they are able to reach definitive trauma care; and

 

     WHEREAS, Tripler Army Medical Center is designated as a level II trauma center and possesses highly trained trauma teams, surgical specialists, and critical care capabilities developed through military trauma training and combat casualty care experience; and

 

     WHEREAS, the State serves as a critical hub for the United States Indo-Pacific Command, which coordinates defense operations and disaster response throughout the Pacific region; and

 

     WHEREAS, strengthening military-civilian trauma collaboration in the State would support both civilian trauma care and national medical readiness; and

 

     WHEREAS, collaboration between military and civilian trauma systems has been successfully implemented in other states through initiatives such as the Military-Civilian Partnership for Trauma Readiness, strengthening trauma system capacity while supporting military medical readiness; and

 

     WHEREAS, increased collaboration between Tripler Army Medical Center, the Department of Health, and civilian trauma centers would improve trauma system capacity, reduce delays in accessing definitive trauma care, and enhance disaster and mass casualty preparedness across the State; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Hawaii Trauma System within the Department of Health has not received a significant increase in dedicated trauma system funding for more than twenty years, despite population growth, rising health care costs, and increasing demands on trauma system infrastructure; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, that the Governor and the Department of Health are requested to engage with the United States Department of Defense and other federal and military partners to explore establishing a military-civilian trauma partnership to strengthen the Hawaii Trauma System; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health is requested to collaborate with Tripler Army Medical Center, emergency medical services providers, and other trauma system stakeholders to identify operational pathways to support integration of military trauma resources into the Hawaii Trauma System; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Governor and the Department of Health, through their engagement with the United States Department of Defense, are requested to evaluate the following:

 

     (1)  Opportunities for Tripler Army Medical Center to participate as a receiving trauma center for civilian trauma patients within the Hawaii Trauma System;

 

     (2)  Opportunities to increase dedicated funding, including funding necessary for uncompensated civilian trauma care when provided by Tripler Army Medical Center as part of the Hawaii Trauma System, to support trauma system coordination, trauma readiness initiatives, and collaboration with military medical partners;

 

     (3)  Legislative and regulatory changes that may be necessary to allow Tripler Army Medical Center to receive reimbursement for civilian trauma patients, including Medicaid reimbursement mechanisms similar to those implemented in states such as Texas, that allow military medical facilities to receive reimbursement for civilian trauma care; and

 

     (4)  Development of statewide military and civilian tele-trauma consultation capabilities to support rural and community hospitals with trauma assessment, stabilization guidance, and triage decision-making; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2027; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the United States Secretary of Defense, Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command, Commander of Tripler Army Medical Center, members of Hawaii's congressional delegation, Governor, and Director of Health.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

 

Report Title: 

DOH; United States Department of Defense; Tripler Army Medical Center; Hawaii Trauma System; Trauma Care; Emergency Medical Services; Military-Civilian Partnership; Report