Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 562 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require the Department of Health to provide family and caregiver support services for the elderly.

Your Committee finds that the elderly population in this State is rapidly increasing. This has and will continue to lead to a significant increase in the need for long-term care for the elderly. An affordable and viable means for the State to address this growing need is to develop adequate infrastructure of services to support the care of elderly individuals in their homes. Your Committee believes that this will enable family caregivers to provide the best quality care possible in their homes while also maintaining their own well-being.

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. 562 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.