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. 64, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the establishment of a committee within the Department of Health to study existing state programs and services involved with or providing long-term care to Hawaii's elderly.

Your Committee finds that the urgent need to address the critical shortage of long-term care services in Hawaii has been established through various studies by both government and private organizations. Your Committee further finds that a myriad of government and private programs offer long-term care to clients, including the elderly and the disabled.

Your Committee agrees that the financing of the continuum of services is a critical factor in ensuring that there is an adequate supply for the rapidly increasing demand for services. Your Committee further agrees that a comprehensive study of all programs and services, as well as their financing, will assist the Legislature in deciding how best to address this problem.

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. 64, S.D. 1, and recommends its adoption.