Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Human Services and Housing and Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 285 entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to appropriate funds for the Department of Health to contract for a study to determine the best method of establishing a state program of long-term care that serves the largest number of people possible.

The Executive Office on Aging, Kokua Council, Coalition for Affordable Long Term Care, Advocates for Consumer Rights, Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs, Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, Healthcare Association of Hawaii, and a concerned citizen testified in support of this measure. The Hawaii Policy Advisory Board for Elderly Affairs and the Department of Health submitted testimony supporting the intent of this measure.

Your Committees find that long-term care is a growing concern, as Hawaii's population is aging and living longer. The burden of cost on the government is increasing. The proposed study, to be conducted in three parts, may alleviate some of the concerns among the community and health care providers, as well as provide alternatives to the rising costs.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services and Housing and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 285 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.