STAND. COM. REP. NO. 337-04

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2004

RE: H.B. No. 558

H.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health, to which was referred H.B. No. 558, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to appropriate funds to the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation to study the feasibility of establishing the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) in rural communities throughout the State.

The Hawaii Health Systems Corporation, Policy Advisory Board for Elder Affairs, and Hawaii Government Employees Association testified in support of this measure. The Executive Office on Aging, Department of Health supported the intent of this measure.

Your Committee finds that PACE has enhanced the quality of life for frail elderly in Hawaii since 1986. The Maluhia program provides comprehensive health care and support services, and avoids the need for costly nursing home care. The feasibility study will assess the resources, viability, technical assistance, and collaborative processes necessary for expansion of PACE to rural communities on Oahu and the neighbor islands.

 

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 558, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Finance.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health,

 

____________________________

DENNIS A. ARAKAKI, Chair