Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 1513 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds for the Nursing Home Without Walls and Chore Services programs within the Department of Human Services in order to support and expand the level of elderly and disabled care services in Hawaii.

Testimony in support of the measure was submitted by the Department of Human Services, the Hawaii Disability Rights Center, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that the Nursing Home Without Walls and Chore Services programs are vital community-based programs which enable elderly individuals to be cared for in their home by highly skilled health care professionals. This innovative and unique method of delivering important health care and support services is not only more cost-effective when compared to placement in a nursing home or other care facility, but also enables these individuals to remain integrated within their communities.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1513 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.