STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1885

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 872

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 872, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII HEALTHY AGING PARTNERSHIP,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to appropriate moneys for the Hawaii Healthy Aging Partnership.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Department of Health Executive Office on Aging, Maui County Office on Aging, County of Kauai Agency on Elderly Affairs, AARP Hawaii, Hawaii Family Caregiver Coalition, Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs, Pearl City Community Church, and numerous individuals.

Your Committee finds that since its inception in 2003, the Better Choices Better Health program of the Hawaii Healthy Aging Partnership has seen 3,185 individuals in Hawaii participate in the program. Your Committee notes that based on pre- and post-test data, participants have reported fewer visits to physicians and emergency rooms; experienced reduced pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, and stress; and saved an average of $654.18 in healthcare costs. Your Committee believes that appropriating funds to continue the program will further benefit the health and well‑being of Hawaii's kupuna.

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 H.B. No. 872, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair