STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2003

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2002

RE: S.B. No. 2023

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.B. No. 2023 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to allow the Executive Office on Aging to provide family caregiver support programs and training by making grants to counties and private entities to supplement the federal program.

Your Committee received testimony in support of the measure from the Executive Office on Aging and the State Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities.

Your Committee finds that family care giving is a significant issue and is a vital piece in the long-term care services puzzle. The Family Caregiver Alliance estimates that caregivers provide approximately $200 billion nationally in informal services to family members, friends, and neighbors annually. Without the countless hours of service that family caregivers provide, the nation's long-term care system will collapse.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2023 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.

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

____________________________

DAVID MATSUURA, Chair