Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 35, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to express the Legislature's support and endorsement for the collaborative efforts between the United States Veterans' Administration, the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, and the State Office of Veterans' Services to construct a two hundred bed long-term care facility on the Hilo Hospital campus, to serve veterans residing in east Hawaii county.

Your Committee finds that east Hawaii county has the second largest population of VA beneficiaries outside of Oahu. Many of these beneficiaries are elderly and have limited income and limited access to long-term care services. Furthermore, the United States Veterans' Administration and the Hawaii State Office of Veterans' Services have expressed concern that the long-term care needs of these "mandated VA-eligible" veterans are not being adequately addressed.

Your Committee further finds that the federally funded VA State Home Construction Program is prepared to fund up to sixty-five per cent of all construction costs for a VA State Home facility on the campus of the Hilo Medical Center, while the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation is actively pursuing private development financing for the remaining thirty-five per cent balance of the construction project. Your Committee also notes that many east Hawaii county community leaders and residents have expressed strong support for the long-term care facility.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 35, S.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.