STAND. COM. REP. NO. 46

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 52

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committees on Human Services and Health, to which was referred S.B. No. 52 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGING,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish and fund a Coordinator for Active Aging within the Executive Office on Aging, who is to be appointed by the Director of the Executive Office on Aging.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Executive Office on Aging, Maui County Executive Office on Aging, Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs, and International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 142.

Your Committees find that census projections indicate that the senior population in Hawaii will almost double between 2010 and 2020 with the highest percentage increase occurring in those over the age of eighty-five.  In order to minimize the potential financial strain on the State of providing in-home services to elders, proactive efforts are required now.  Although the life span of our population is generally increasing, overall healthy living is not necessarily the norm.  The aging network has recognized for several years the need to establish a coordinated effort to support seniors in maintaining health for those who remain healthy and in improving health for those exhibiting chronic illness.  As the senior population grows, the likelihood that funding can keep pace with increasing numbers of elders is low.  Therefore, initiatives must begin now to focus on ways to increase the emphasis on comprehensive and coordinated plans to assist seniors in remaining as physically, mentally, and spiritually healthy as possible.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services and Health that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 52 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Human Services and Health,

____________________________ JOSH GREEN, Chair

____________________________ SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair