STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3170

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.C.R. No. 62

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2010

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 62 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION SUPPORTING CAREGIVERS AND RECOGNIZING THEIR ROLE IN MAINTAINING THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF HAWAII'S FRAIL AND VULNERABLE POPULATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to recognize and support caregivers for their important roles in our community and their dedication to maintaining the health and well-being of Hawaii's frail and vulnerable population.

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the State Council on Developmental Disabilities.  Written testimony presented to the Committee may be reviewed on the Legislature's website.

     Your Committee finds that the elderly population in Hawaii is among the fastest growing groups and is also the most vulnerable physically and economically.  Community-based caregivers, such as adult residential care homes and adult foster homes, deliver acute and long-term care to Hawaii's Medicaid program and to families in need throughout the State.  The need for these important services has increased substantially due to a shortage in nursing care beds.

     Your Committee recognizes that the care that these non-institutional care homes provide is immeasurably important to the community, and with the current economic crisis, the cost-effective services of these caregivers are even more sought after.  Your Committee also wishes to show its continued support and appreciation for those that administer these important services.

     Your Committee has made technical, nonsubstantive stylistic changes for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 62, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as H.C.R. No. 62, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services,

____________________________

SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair