Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 3253 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a joint legislative committee on family caregiving.

Your Committee understands that families, rather than institutions, are the primary providers of long-term care in this State. Sixty-five per cent of these family caregivers are employed. Further, as a result of cost-containment policies and practices, people with healthcare needs are being discharged from hospitals and other care facilities with complex health care requirements. This imposes greater responsibilities upon individuals and families to be well-informed about long-term care planning, financing, and the options available to assist them in their caregiving tasks.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

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 is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3253, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3253, S.D. 1.