Report Title:

Establishes the long-term care financing program commission

 

Description:

Establishes a long-term care financing program commission to design a long term care program modeled after the New York State Partnership for Long-Term Care Program. Requires the long-term care financing program commission to report its findings to the 2003 session.(SD2)

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2638

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2002

H.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

S.D. 2


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

RELATING TO the hawaii long-term CARE financing act.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the Hawaii Long-Term Care Financing Act.

SECTION 2. The Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new chapter to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"Chapter

HAWAII LONG-TERM CARE FINANCING ACT

§   -1 Purpose. This chapter provides an equitable and affordable system of long-term care. This program promotes individual choice and discretion in selecting and paying for long-term care services.

§   -2 Definitions. As used in this chapter:

"Commission" means the Hawaii Long-Term Care Financing Program Commission.

"Long-term care services" means a broad range of supportive services needed by individuals who are age twenty-five or older with physical or mental impairments and have lost or never acquired the ability to function independently.

§   -3 Hawaii Long-Term Care Financing Program; Commission. (a) There is established within the department of budget and finance for administrative purposes the Hawaii Long-Term Care Financing Program Commission. The Commission is vested with designing a public-private long-term care services program, modeled after the New York State Partnership for Long-Term Care Program. The program is a unique model designed to finance long-term care services based on the concept of a public-private partnership, which links private insurance to Medicaid.

(b) Beginning July 1, 2002, the Commission shall consist of five members, three of which are to be appointed by the governor as provided in section 26-34, one of which is to be appointed by the president of the senate, and one of which is to be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; provided that the terms of the Commissioners shall be four years; provided further that the initial appointments may be staggered in accordance with section 26-34(a); provided further that any vacancies in the commission shall be filled by the governor, subject to the limit on length of service imposed by section 26-34.

(c) Each member of the commission shall be a citizen of the United States and a resident of the State. Members of the commission shall hold no other public office. No person shall be appointed consecutively to more than two terms as a member of the commission.

(d) Members of the Commission shall be appointed to reflect the following interests: accounting, business, finance, long-term care services insurance, or other similar fields. The composition of the Commission shall represent a diversity of relevant experience.

(e) The chairperson of the Commission shall be elected by a majority of the members of the Commission. Commissioners shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for all expenses, including travel and per diem expenses, necessary for the performance of their duties.

SECTION 3. The Commission shall report its findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation modeled after the New York State Partnership for Long-Term Care Program, no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2003.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that section 2 shall take effect on July 1, 2002.